Authenticity

Kid's aren't dumb. They will realize when you're lying or trying to deceive them. Teachers need to be straight up with their students. They need to know who you are as a person. By being yourself, students find ways to relate to you outside of the curriculum, and if you can relate to students you will be able to figure out what they need to maximize their learning potential.

Every teacher that I have made a significant connection with, I have been able to relate to with something other than the subject material. no exceptions. All my favorite teachers and the teachers i learned most from, I connected with. They were Authentic. I responded.

Compassion

A balanced level of compassion is key in the classroom. Like a quote in class eluded to, too much compassion creates an apathetic biggotry that requires nothing of the students, gets nothing in return, provides no challenges, lacks control and discipline, and harms students rather than help them. On the flip side, a complete lack of compassion will lead to a militant, end-of-discussion, i-don't-want-to-hear-your-story-just-do-what-you're-told, heartless reign of authority over a group of students apparently not worth any time or effort.

In sixth grade, my math teacher left for some reason and her replacement was much too compassionate. Ms. M (the replacement) didn't feel comfortable challenging the class (a higher level class) for fear that anyone might struggle. on any type assignment or quiz/test, she could be easily talked into a few extra points for no apparent reason. While it was easy to succeed in her class, I distinctly remember not learning much the last part of 6th grade. She clearly had a great passion for teaching and for kids, but without discipline and structure, that went to waste.

Respect

Respect is the basis and foundation of how every human should be treated. Without respect, there is nothing but judgement and misunderstanding. If I were to do my best to give nothing but respect to people i encountered in my daily life, I would be slow to judge, open-minded, accepting, and pleasant to be around. If I were to apply respect to a classroom setting, I would make an effort to get to know a student's story/background, do everything to facilitate learning, and stay enthusiastic and engaged with teaching. Without respect, all that is good and right with the world falls apart.