how to become a good teacher.....????

Listen, listen, listen...attentively of course! In my experience even troubled kids respond well to encouragement and being given meaningful tasks that help them feel capable, needed, wanted and 'believed in.' Kids who are included in activities and encouraged to partipate improves self-esteem. Giving them genuine praise for a job well done also gives them confidence to move beyond familiar comfort zones. In my view handing out trophies to everyone on the team to avoid hurt feelings does not prepare kids for the harsh reality that we all need to work at achieving excellence. Kids today are having a free ride because it is politically correct...but what does that do for them when they discover there are no fee passes...and sooner or later we need to take responsibility for the cause and effect of choices made.