Calendar Books by Allen James - Daily Reading - "A Teacher's Daily Guide to Success"

November 26th, from A Teacher's Daily Guide to Success (www.lulu.com/spotlight/allenjames1961)

"Be specific about what you expect of your students" (James, 2014).

Notice how readings from any/all of Allen James' Calendar Books can be applied in all areas of each of our lives.  Definitely, we are ALL teachers in some way.  However;  having been a teacher for the past 30 years I certainly have learned the importance of being specific regarding what it is I want my students to do, otherwise, the end product most often fails to hit the mark.  Why?  Simply because NO MARK has been distinguished.

 Kim Campbell, a 7th grade geography teacher, provides this example:

"A group of parents were asked the following question: what teacher behaviors do you see in classrooms that create a successful learning environment for your child? Here are their responses:

• Hands down—enthusiasm and a well disciplined classroom.
• Consistency with student expectations and guidelines. Sincerity in communication with students.
• They have respectful classrooms. They don't have quiet classrooms, and their classrooms tend to seem chaotic to a casual observer—but a high level of respect is present to and from each individual, including the teacher.
• From what my five children have said over the years, I have concluded this: If my child feels that he or she has an equal chance to learn because the leader of the class, the teacher, has control over the class—then the focus of the class becomes everything the teacher does to make the subject interesting or fun.

A word that is constantly tossed about in the world of education is expectations. We’re told that teachers must have high expectations for all students. School boards, administrators, state education agencies, and legislators have high expectations for teachers. Parents and community members have all sorts of expectations for teachers and for students. Teachers have expectations of parents. And what about the students? They too have expectations of what will happen when they sit in a classroom and “live” in a school. There’s little doubt that expectations are omnipresent! But I am not certain that all the stakeholders in education have clear ideas about their own expectations, let alone any sort of agreement on the list" (National Association of Secondary School Principals, 2012).

Clearly stating our expectations in ALL areas of our lives will do nothing short of making our lives, and relationships, better.  In today's world of "quick communication", often messages get crossed and individuals are confused as to what others desire to understand or relate.

Be specific about what you expect of your students....and your family....and your friends, as well as anyone with whom you interact.

Keep looking up.  :)  AJ