What makes a teacher effective? In chapter three, there are a variety of examples including skills such as structure, motivation, clarity, and high expectations. Fortunately, I had the experience of being a student for a teacher who possessed all of these skills. Her class was full of enthusiasm and significant challenges, in addition to a personal touch. That touch was the skill to teach students to believe in themselves.
Growing up, I was always the shy girl who never spoke up in class and never wanted to draw much attention to herself. Although I was one of the better students, I was not vocal in class or in any other setting including school clubs and sports teams. I did not have enough confidence in myself to believe that anything I had to say in class or in another group setting was worth while. To raise my hand and have all eyes on me was my biggest fear. What if they laughed at me? What if I misunderstood the question? What if I was wrong? Speaking in front of a large group was something that I never even considered, until I registered for Speech 1 as a sophomore in high school.
Speech 1 was taught by Mrs. Penney, the head of our drama department, and was a requirement for graduation. It was the class everyone dreaded and wished had not been added to the required curriculum. The class consisted of role plays, small vignettes, presentations, poetry readings and impromptus all of which took place in front of class. At first, I was shaking with fear every time I stood up on stage but somehow Mrs. Penney had the ability to provide an individualized “pep talk” to every student before starting their presentations. She knew the accomplishments of all of her students from their participation in sports to their excellence in math class. She always reassured us and recognized that speaking in front of a group was something many of us had never taken part in until now. Before I knew it, my shaking voice and sweating palms were replaced with a confident posture and comfortable presence on stage. I couldn’t believe that I was actually able to speak in front of a group, was good at it, and at the same time enjoyed it! My experience in Speech 1 had been so successful, I decided to take Mrs. Penney’s Speech 2 class as an elective the following year. When I approached her about this decision, she was enthusiastic and excited to have me in her class again. I couldn’t wait!
Speech II consisted of a more in-depth understanding of speaking in front of a group in a more formal setting. We spent much of our time practicing debates and preparing for various speech contests. Again, Mrs. Penney provided the guidance, support and motivation for me to really believe that I could not only speak in front of a class, but also in front of the whole school and members of our community. Her “pep talks” now consisted of reminders of each student’s previous successes in Speech 1. She made me feel important, which carried over to a feeling of confidence while speaking in front of a crowd. This confidence in myself enabled me to compete in two of the major speech contests and win first place in both contests. I also won a small role in the school play and participated in other drama groups offered through school and within the community.
As a senior, I registered for Drama as an elective and again won a larger role in our school play. At the end of my senior year, I was honored with the opportunity to be a key speaker at graduation, which I gladly accepted. I was thrilled with this new talent that I always doubted I possessed, and would probably still doubt today had I not taken Mrs. Penney’s classes.
Overall, Mrs. Penney incorporated all the skills that describe an effective teacher. She motivated all of us by being enthusiastic about the subject she was teaching. She took the initiative to know all of her students as individuals and expected only the best from each of us. She used a variety of different activities such as roles plays, movie critiques, impromptus, formal speeches, and dramatic performances to enhance our learning and to keep us interested in the subject. Her classes were also never short of challenges big and small.
I truly believe that Mrs. Penney had a direct influence on my life and my confidence in my ability to accomplish my goals. I can still hear her rooting me on every time I stand up in front of a crowd to speak. It makes me smile to know that someone, a teacher, cared enough to believe that all of her students, including myself, could overcome their fears to accomplish their goals.
-- Cindy Willis, American University