Blog Entry 2:  February 16, 2018

Topic:  "Goodness of fit",  reflection on the qualities of a successful teacher

        "Goodness of fit" refers to the match between the personality and abilities of a teaching candidate and the profession of teaching.  Good teachers come in many packages, but they share some common characteristics.  Our textbook (Koch, p. 11) describes these qualities using 5 C’s:  committed, caring, courageous, conscious and centered.  These qualities are demonstrated in many ways in the classroom.  Good teachers invest time getting to know each student, and are in tune with each student’s needs.  Every student is influenced by their personal background and attitudes, and this affects how they learn.  A teacher is tasked with the delicate job of figuring out an education strategy that works for the individual, and must include the student's physical, social and emotional needs.  Teachers are also role models, and are responsible for running a classroom in a calm, fair and democratic manner.  New teachers often find these responsibilities overwhelming, and many programs are taking steps to fix this problem.  Credential programs in California require at least 45 hours of volunteer work in a grade level similar to the credential.  This helps pre-teachers check the goodness of fit.  I talked to several teachers, and at least half had changed grade level during their short careers.

        Reflection is an excellent way to address goodness of fit.  A teacher candidate who takes time to reflect carefully about his/her personality can often tell if teaching will be a satisfying profession.  The rewards can be small and infrequent, and teaching has many challenges.   Spending time in the classroom is a practical way to evaluate goodness of fit, because it exposes a teacher candidate to the realities of teaching.  The romantic notion of a quest for knowledge may be squelched by the flue season and a broken copier.  A teacher who explores goodness of fit will probably enter the profession with a better understanding of who they are and what is required of a new teacher.

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