@FreeDuck,
Freeduck---I think that would be incredible. I am almost convinced that the ability to explain is a lot more important to teaching than high capability in the content. I had brilliant math teachers, who never seemed to be able to transfer their great knowledge to me. I needed an "explanation."
Chicks--Last week, I had two students who were posing behavior problems in my classroom. (These are 8th grade, low income, previously very low achieving students culled from the public school system and plopped in this rich, educational environment). "Ann" was all over class, up out of her desk, laughing like it was 1999, and being completely uncontrollable. She ran out of the room three times. "Bob" was the life of the party, had a great quip for every circumstance, and had them rolling over on Aisle 5. So, I'd planned to get some information about them anyway...had a "hobbies, About Me" type questionnaire, and also a questionnaire about whether they had Audio, Visual and/or Kinesthetic learning aptitudes...
I see Ann admits to difficulty staying in her seat, and Bob tends to be a Kinesthetic learner...
btw, Bob loves me, and Ann would open my veins at this point, given opportunity and implement...
So, the next day, on the white board, where I have my lesson plans written out for student consumption, Bob sees he is headlining one of the teaching segments in class that day. He comes to me and inquires. I tell him I'd like him to teach. He's excited. I go over the content of the lesson...show him how to operate the Power Point...
I approach Ann, and apologize for getting off on the wrong foot with her, explaining that when people run from my room, I tend to take it personally. I tell her I have really planned too much for that day, and I really need an assistant to help me facilitate lessons that day...and frankly, for the rest of the week. My assistant would constantly be up and out of their seat...it was quite an active job...would she mind...?
I guess you see where this is going. Ann loves me to death...smiles at me all the time...starts conversations with me...speaks in the hall. Bob did an awesome job, and has asked to teach additional segments. Both have dramatically improved their behavior in class and actually rein in other students who are misbehaving. More important than affecting their behavior, Ann's engagement with her lessons / classwork has improved significantly. Bob was already an academic hot shot.
You would have had to pull me down off the ceiling that day. I was in heaven.
