#### Ithings

### Effective Educators

#### DISPLAY THESE QUALITIES

when they interact with students:

**Patience**  **Honesty**  **Affection**  **Confidence**  **Flexibility**

#### Acceptance of individuality

#### ORGANIZE THEIR CLASSROOMS to…

Maximize learning and minimize time lost during productive activity transitions or disruptions due to challenging behavior

#### ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION

AND AUTONOMY.

Involve students in the learning process and teach them a means for self-management and self-control.

#### FOCUS ON STRENGTHS.

Make a habit of understanding, appreciating, and building students’ assets and strengths as well as addressing their concerns and weaknesses.

#### ENSURE STUDENT PROGRESS by:

- Closely monitoring how students respond to interventions
- Exploring whether strategies have real benefits or are only effective in theory
- Changing interventions as needed
- Regularly providing students with feedback about their progress and accomplishments

#### FOSTER MEANINGFUL CHANGE

by focusing on variables within a teacher’s control:

- Curriculum selection
- Instructional strategies
- Interpersonal relationships with students

#### EDUCATE THEMSELVES

about human behavior and child development.

Understand that vast developmental differences exist in the abilities and learning rates of children.

Accept that **STUDENTS WORK WITH THEM—** **NOT FOR THEM.**

Respect students and treat them with patience and flexibility while keeping expectations high.

#### INSTILL A SENSE OF SECURITY.

Make the classroom a safe, secure place where every child feels important and valued.

10 **UNDERSTAND the lifelong impact good** teachers can have on their students.

#### My Teacher

##### The golden rule for being an effective teacher

is to be a good human being.

Adapted from Learning Disabilities and Challenging *Behaviors, by Nancy Mather, Ph.D., Sam Goldstein, Ph.D.,* and Katie Eklund, Ph.D., NCSP, with invited contributors.