Bradon Pruett

Vision Statement
Students spend over 13,000 hours in school, spending a lot of time with teachers, some
times more time with their own families (Jensen, 2005). Teachers can be some of the most
influential people that students will come across during their academic career, and with so much
time spent in school, students need great teachers who have the essential qualities and skills
needed to be good role models, and most importantly, provide a good environment that allows
students to learn and to develop their brains to their fullest potential.
In order for a teacher to provide a good learning environment for all students, they should
be knowledgeable in their subject area. They should also keep themselves updated with new
information, practices in their content area, and new technology that would better help them in
the classroom (Texas Teacher Proficiencies). I want students to learn from the best, to use every
high quality resource available to help them learn the material. Using anything less would be a
disservice to the students. Cooperative learning is one of the best learning approach for students,
this approach will allow me to maximize student engagement (Kagan, 2012).
Great teachers are great for a reason, they have the essential qualities and skills of a great
teacher. Teachers need to have good morals and be of good character, reliable, passionate about
the students, selfless, fair, and be a leader (Texas Administrative Code Standard 1.10). Teachers
should have good communication that way not only students understand what the teacher is
trying to convey, but also the parents, both of which can be easily done through technology.
Being able to adapt to new technology is a must for teachers, since technology in the classroom
is becoming more relevant, and most classrooms have a great deal of it, teachers need to be able
to quickly adapt when something new is introduced. Technology is not the only thing teachers
need to be able to adapt to, they also need to be able to adapt their lesson plans based on
classroom needs, to be flexible. The order of the lesson may need to change, with some students
who have learning disabilities, needing to have a slower pace, or maybe even make separate
worksheets and notes so that way the students who do have learning disabilities are still learning
along with the class, even if it is modified to accommodate them.
Students spend so much time in the classroom, teachers have a big hand in molding a
students brain. Teachers should be straightforward with their instructions, use hands-on working
models, help guide the students through tougher decisions with discussion not just lecture. A
students school years is when they are worried about being judged by their peers. Teachers must
avoid being judgmental towards their students, and attempt to understand them (Jensen, 2005).
With this sensitive time in a students life, teachers should be sure to include everyone in
activities and programs, and not giving advantages to others based on race, gender, religion, or
sexual orientation (Texas Administrative Code Standard 3.4).
Since students spend so much time in their lives in schools, constantly with teachers and
other educators, it is important that the teacher takes an active role in being a good role model to

all students who enter their door. Teachers deal with a wide variety of students, who may grow
up to be future doctors, leaders, and maybe even teachers themselves. Being a good teacher
doesnt just mean making sure the students know the material and high test scores. A good
teacher is someone that actively demonstrate the essential qualities and skills that all teachers
should have, and to provide a good environment for the students to thrive in and allow for their
brains to develop in a way to where they can achieve their full potential in and out of the
classroom.

References
Jensen, E. (2005). Teaching with the Brain in Mind (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: Association for
Supervision & Curriculum Development.
Kagan, S., & Kagan, M. (2010). Kagan Cooperative Learning. Can Clemente, CA: Kagan
Publishing.
Texas Education Agency. (1994). Learner-Centered Schools for Texas: A Vision of Texas
Educators. Retrieved from
http://www4.esc13.net/uploads/pdas/docs/LearnerCenteredSchools.pdf

Texas Secretary of State. (2010). Texas administrative code of ethics and standard
practices for Texas educators. Retrieved from
http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.TacPage?
sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=7&ch=24
7&rl=2