Teacher Skills

Since the 1830s, public schools have spread into every corner of America. Then and now, what kind of people have been called to teach in these schools? This program explores the importance of educators in the lives of their students, emphasizing a teacher's influence as role model, as upholder of society's norms, and even as agent of social change. Dedicated women who spent their careers teaching newly freed slaves and turn-of-the-century teachers of immigrants are profiled, as well as exemplary instructors of today's struggling teenagers. Education reformer Theodore Sizer, education historian David Tyack, and author Frank McCourt are featured. (56 minutes)

Teaching is arguably the most important career in the world-and certainly one of the most demanding. Yet even in a field that requires so much energy and caring, certain teachers manage to stand out from the rest. In this inspiring three-part series, nine great teachers display their diverse approaches to educating and building self-esteem in their students. 3-part series, 24-28 minutes each.

A common error made by new teachers is attempting to impose authority on a classroom rather than encouraging students to manage themselves. In this program, acclaimed presenter Dr. Richard Curwin and noted educator and school psychologist Dr. Allen Mendler argue that students can develop internal controls and self-responsibility when teachers alter their traditionally adversarial classroom role. Drs. Curwin and Mendler are also cofounders of Discipline Associates and coauthors of Discipline with Dignity, Taking Charge in the Classroom, and The Discipline Book: A Complete Guide to School and Classroom Management. (28 minutes)

This program describes and demonstrates specific examples of instructional conversation and other types of cognitive coaching; identifies instructional arrangements that are used to promote active learning by students; models questioning techniques and student interactions, including the ways in which cognitive coaches keep student discussion focused and productive; and considers the role that authentic and ongoing assessment plays in cognitive coaching. Good teaching, like good coaching, depends on instructional conversations in which the participants exchange ideas, build motivation, and develop strategies for improvement. The program shows how teachers can encourage students to employ strategies for success by providing cognitive coaching or active teaching": by communicating with their students, focusing on development, motivating their students, and sharing in their students' performance. (39 minutes)"

Using a sensitive, real-world approach, this program assists teachers in understanding the process of counseling in high schools. It begins with a definition of counseling and goes on to explain the counseling process followed by a look at the variety of skills a counselor needs in order to work effectively with a young person. The program is also designed to assist teachers in understanding the process of adolescence itself and the developmental tasks that a young person will inevitably need to negotiate his or her high school years. Issues related to suicide prevention and mental health are discussed. Produced and set in Australia. Viewable/printable educational resources are available online. (30 minutes)

A one-size-fits-all approach to education will not promote academic success in today's culture. This program explores the value of grouping students flexibly according to their changing needs, accelerating instruction for slower learners, and customizing methods of teaching. The challenges of implementing such strategies, including increased demand for supplies, equipment, and technical assistance and additional teacher training, are discussed as well. (20 minutes)

Adolescents have both the cognitive and the emotional capacity to deepen their emotional intelligence, and for that reason secondary schools are being viewed as an ideal setting in which to teach and promote EI. In this program, Dr. Karen Hansen, coordinator of the EI and Education Research Unit of Swinburne University, compares and contrasts definitions and models of EI. In addition, she suggests practical ways in which educators can promote and nurture EI through a variety of classroom activities and by rearranging the physical classroom environment. Viewable/printable educational resources are available online. (31 minutes)

To improve school performance, there must be a shared belief among school administrators, faculty, and parents that every child is capable of academic success, regardless of race or socioeconomic status. Filmed on location at rural and inner-city schools in the U.S. and Canada where-against all odds-disadvantaged students are achieving remarkable results, this outstanding six-part series identifies keys to the essential ingredients necessary to ensure academic success for students of any background.Each detailed program is a penetrating analysis that includes interviews with administrators, principals, teachers, and parents; instructional sequences from classrooms; and counseling sessions between teachers and students-all derived from in-depth visits to eight different schools where concrete results reveal a level of student success previously unimagined.6-part series, 18-20 minutes each.

If faculty expectations are low, student achievement can never be high. This program documents the powerful impact of high expectations on student mastery of basic and higher-level skills. The supportive effect of a positive school culture, the use of monitoring as a medium to communicate a school's insistence on academic excellence, and a dedication on the part of educators to develop challenging instruction are emphasized. (19 minutes)

This program takes a holistic approach to classroom management with a mix of preventive strategies and damage control that will enable teachers to retain order so they can more effectively educate their students. Topics range from the concrete-classroom rules, seating plans, rewards, positive class routines, and approaches to starting and concluding lessons-to the more conceptual, covering topics such as the contribution of non-differentiated curricular structures to negative behavior and maintaining a 3-to-1 ratio of positive-to-corrective interactions. An excellent tool for new teachers-and for experienced teachers looking for fresh management strategies. Viewable/printable educational resources are available online. (27 minutes)

This program, sponsored by the National Science Foundation, showcases innovative teaching techniques as performed by science and math professors at Hampshire College, the University of Massachusetts, and Springfield Technical Community College. In seminars and full-blown lectures, these instructors have succeeded in increasing their students' engagement with the subject matter by applying active learning, cooperative group work, and alternative test-taking techniques. How Change Happens is an excellent tool for stimulating discussion among faculty members about course and curriculum reform. (25 minutes)

By viewing Integrating ESL Students, classroom teachers of any subject will come away with concrete information and advice that they can use to teach-and reach-their English-language learners (ELLs) better. Practicality and relevance guide the program as it reviews basic ESL standards and strategies, gives examples of how to incorporate these techniques into teaching various subject areas, suggests ways to assist ELLs in mastering English in social and community settings, and addresses the use of technology in helping ELLs improve their understanding and expand their knowledge. Multiply the power of this program! Workshop it with the accompanying facilitator's workbook. It contains suggested topics for discussion, exercises for participants to practice skills or explore ideas on their own, and more. (A viewable/printable version of the workbook is available online.) Award-winning psychologist Kenneth Shore, Ph.D.-an author of six books on students' special needs and a recognized advocate of inclusiveness in the classroom-consulted in the making of this program. Recommended for teachers, student teachers, and education students. Correlates to national standards from the Center for Applied Linguistics and TESOL. A facilitator's workbook is included. A Films for the Humanities & Sciences Production. (27 minutes)

This documentary focuses on three teachers who have made a positive impact-academically or personally-on their students' lives. Selected as a result of an essay contest that asked students to write about the teacher who had most challenged and inspired them, the teachers are shown at work in the classroom, doing what they excel at: teaching and making a difference. (28 minutes)

This program follows three outstanding teachers throughout the school day to show how they motivate students. We see the classroom skills that help make them great teachers-charisma, concern, perseverance, and enthusiasm-and how they impart self-esteem to their students. These instructors teach Social Studies, English, and Special Education. (24 minutes)

This program focuses on three instructors singled out as great teachers." One teacher's infectious enthusiasm, another's solid dedication, and a third's sense of humor foster self-esteem in even the most difficult students. This is an interesting study of three very different educational "styles" that produce the same positive educational results. (26 minutes)"