Tuesday, March 21, 2006

The Creed of the Effective Teacher

The Creed of the United States Marine
This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. My rifle, without me, is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will . . . . My rifle and I know that what counts in this war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, nor the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit . . . . My rifle is human, even as I, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strengths, its parts, its accessories, its sights, and its barrel. I will ever guard it against the ravages of weather and damage. I will keep my rifle clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready. We will become part of each other. We will . . . . Before God I swear this creed.My rifle and I are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life. So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy, but Peace!

The Creed of the Effective Teacher
This is my classroom. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
My classroom is my daily blank slate. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.
My classroom, without effective management, is useless. Without effective management, I am useless.
I must fully engage my students. I must engage them more than the societal evils that are trying to drag my students down. I must get to them before apathy and ignorance tear them down. I will . . . .
My fellow effective teachers and I know that what counts in this daily battle is not the tests we distribute, the popularity of our consistent discipline, nor the crafty projects we make. We know that it is the students that count. We will teach . . .
My students are human, even as I, because they are my life. Thus, I will teach them as I am a guide. I will learn their weaknesses, their strengths, their home lives, their parents, their peers, and their habits. I will ever guard my classroom against the ravages of poverty and violence.
I will keep my lesson plans flexible and ready, even as I am flexible and ready. We will become part of each other. We will . . .
Before God I swear this creed.My classroom and I are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our futures. So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy, but Peace!
Thanks, Mark!

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