Matthew Schulte

MUSE 356 Choral Methods 1

Source:
Chapter 8. Directing the Choral Music Program.
Kenneth H. Phillips
2016

The CARE and Feeding of Students. Indiana Musicator.

Don P. Ester
2000
Discussion:
Ch. 1: Which two of the “characteristics of good teaching” do you think are most
important, and why?
The two most important characteristics in my opinion include enjoying working with
students and obtaining students’ involvement in learning. To truly succeed not just with teaching
but with any job, a person must enjoy what they are doing. A teacher should enjoy working with
their students since that is the crux of the job. The whole point of being a teacher is to provide
students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in life and become productive
members of society. A teacher needs to be excited and enthusiastic when teaching students. If a
teacher truly does not enjoy working with students, it will show and students will pick up on that,
thus affecting classroom management and overall enthusiasm for the class. The other aspect is
affected by the previous one. A teacher should actively seek to obtain students’ involvement in
learning. The teacher could just lecture students the entire class, but how does that benefit the
students? Teachers should provide opportunities for the students to take part in the learning
process. We should give them the chance to learn firsthand and make their own judgements
rather than be lectured to and told what to believe.
The article is about classroom management and caring for the students. I really appreciate
reading the difference between what a student wants and what they need. For an adolescent,
whose world view is centered around themselves and their friends, they may think they need a
certain item, or they need to do something to fit in with their friends and classmates. Teachers
have the foresight and experience to see that these things are only temporary and should provide
them with what will truly help them in the future. One phrase that can describe the article is
“tough love”. Although we do want to be liked by our students and be the cool teacher, as Dr.
Ester points out, that is not our job. The role of a teacher is to prepare students with the
knowledge necessary to succeed in life. That might mean that we must crack down on poor
behavior and enforce rules that may be seen as mean or strict. On the other hand, we should
reward proper behavior in the times it is warranted. We should create that positive environment
where students can learn for the future through positive feedback and constructive criticism.