by Joseph Wardy

Created on: September 17, 2008   Last Updated: May 25, 2010

In my career, I've taught 35 years in education from middle school to senior citizens in adult classes as well as adult learners in the corporate arena.The question, posed as it is, cannot be answered as it implies that teaching effectively is the same regardless of age.

Case in point: The only level of teaching I have not experienced is elementary school. Although attaining success at every level to include tenure at both the middle and high school levels in two different centuries, I know I would not be successful. During a period of my life as a corporate consultant and trainer, I did substitute teaching on days when there was no training work. I was once asked to cover a Kindergarten class for two days. The experience was the only time I reneged on a commitment. After the first day, I called and asked them to get someone else. Things like lining up kids for recess and the bathroom were totally foreign to me. I didn't know how to deal with comments like: " she thinks she's better than me"...so..she has a high self esteem that would thrill Gloria Steinem. Or, "he jumped in front of me in line"...well, yes the rat race is stating earlier. A kindergarten teacher has it tough when connecting to adults. I once dated a kindergarten teacher and we went for dinner. When I told her i had to go to the bathroom, she told me I must raise my hand and get permission first.

So, my gut feeling is that the best elementary terachers know how to engage young minds coupled with extraordinary planning that incorporates a balance of structure and creativity.

I would like to break down the best teachers by the various levels I've enjoyed success with:

1) Middle school- In many ways, to me, this level is the most challenging. Here, kids are old enoiugh to be nasty but too young to be mature. It s hormone thing! Research indicates that attention span is one minute per age. So, a middle school student can have an attention span of about 12 minutes. Key to what the best teachers do: in a 43 minute period, conduct 4 to 6 different activites that can tie into on overall objective that is stated on the blackboard during the first 30 seconds of class. This way the various activities meet their desired outcomes.

2) High school- Here, the kids are a little older and have a bit more life experience. Classroom management of handling discipline is key and with no magic formula it must be consistent. It is also critical to start the semester tough and, if appropriate, loosen up. Effective teachers don't start loose and then expect to get tough. Since the kids are a bit older, the best teachers engage student in a facilitative, inquiry and group activity process. By the time a student graduates college, it is estimated that they have spent 35,000 hours getting lectured. The best teachers create, when possible, partnerships in learning through faciltation. Of course, this process is more readily available in the corporate arena because of life and career experiences of the participants. Finally, the older a student, the more he/she learns through self discovery. I teach business presentation skills in the corporate arena and the best tool is the video for participants to view.

There is one common area regardless of level. The best teachers are not necessarily the best subject experts but the teachers offering the intangibles such as caring, passion, compassion, patience, listening, enthusiasm, sincerity. Consider the following quote as it applies to this topic: " People don't care what you know until they know that you care". Students are people too!

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