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The TEACHER, the Decisive Element in the Classroom

The STUDENT, whose life is touched forever

GIVE THEM TIME
"I've come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom...
It is my personal approach that creates the climate.
It is my daily mood that makes the weather.
As a teacher I possess tremendous power to make a child's life miserable or joyous.
I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration.
I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal.
In all situations it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated, and a child humanized or
de-humanized. "

                                                                            H. Ginott

YES, this is THE TEACHER! He really is the child’s third parent.
This child who is "like wet cement; whatever falls on him makes an impression."

If teachers have so much power, such a critical role, then hadn’t we better examine what they really need to do a good job, and give it to them, instead of ONLY requiring things?

Let’s not forget that we are preparing our students for the 21st century where "Standing Still is Falling Behind ", where there are unprecedented social changes and technological innovations.

In this article, even though I will start with whatever is required of teachers, my main objective is to show the importance of Reducing Class Size and of Giving Teachers the Professional Time and Opportunities they need to do their jobs, "to be the most informed, the most capable, and the most inspiring classroom leaders possible."(U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley)