The Bad Teacher and American Idol

     What intangible characteristic is needed to teach? There are many characteristics needed to be a good teacher. However, if you lack one characterstic you are certainly going to be a BAD teacher. That characteristic is knowing how you are perceived by others. In my 11+ years as an instructional leader and administrator I have had the opportunity to see some amazing teachers. Teachers that quite frankly are better teachers than myself when I was still in the classroom. Unfortunately, I have seen terrible teachers. The kind where you want to write a personal apology letter to each student who endures their class each day.
     So what do I mean by a lack of knowing how you are perceived by others? All teachers have "great" lessons that bomb. You know, the lesson you planned so hard for and think as you teach the students that heavenly beams of light will fall from the sky and the students will hear angels sing as they grasp the concepts. Sometimes things don't go quite as planned in this noble profession. Sometimes the kids yawn, doodle, or simply sit quietly with a look of confusion. The average and good teacher realizes the lesson is bombing and changes course. The teacher who lacks an awareness of perception continues full speed ahead and doesn't have a clue how the students are perceiving their lesson. Now, there are some of you out there who may be asking, "How can they not know that the lesson is bombing?" I can't explain it, but it is similiar to watching those people on American Idol who believe with all of their being that they can sing. Watch this clip...

     To my administrative colleagues out there, this young man's reaction probably does not surprise you if you have done your job like Simon and told the honest truth. Just like this young man there are teachers out there who believe they can teach when in fact they can't! When this teacher is told by an administrator that they don't have what it takes they become upset, blame the principal, call their union representative, etc.. As educators we must work together to help teachers to improve or move them out of our buildings for the sake of the children. I believe if a teacher lacks the characteristic of knowing how they are perceived by their students, there is little that can be done in this situation but to politely show them the door.