Elementary School Teachers

Students do not remember their favorite elementary school teachers because of the amount of knowledge they gain in a year or the fun crafts that are done in class. They remember “good teachers” by the characteristics that the teacher possesses in order to shape them into successful and creative young minds. These are the teachers that build a base for all education but also teach responsibility, work ethic, and perseverance-- all necessary components of a successful student. Elementary school teachers, behind parents, are the first line of influence that children have to interact with on a daily basis, therefore the impact of the teacher can drastically change the outcome of the student. Building relationships, setting expectations, motivating

According to an academic journal titled “The Conversation,” the United States is not in the top 5 countries with the highest reading and math scores, and this could be linked to the education system as a whole. In the United States, education is taught on curriculum, enforcing the idea that no students are left behind and every student has the same level of basic knowledge. This system is flawed and does not take into account the concept of “learning how to learn.” When elementary aged children come into a school setting, they have little to no concept of what information to process, how to problem solve, and how to approach different situations. This is where teachers are beginning to look towards the Singapore System. Singapore is ranked in the top three for reading, math, and science understanding and skills. Their teaching system is built on implementing pragmatic skills. This includes dealing with issues sensibly and realistically and based on practical reasoning versus theoretical thinking. When teachers integrate practical and guided problem solving and critical thinking into lesson plans and curriculum, they are setting their students up to have the ability to think critically and solve issues on their own later on. The practicality of merging problem solving techniques, critical

Teaching logicallity through problem solving, critical thinking, and reason, ethicality in emotional understanding, communication, and relationship building, and the creation of reasonable expectation of students by their teachers over time is allowing students to understand how to be successful and not just why. Elementary school teachers that implement this understanding and basic skill can provide students with the non-educational background that they need to succeed throughout high school, college, and life. Kindergarten and lower elementary school teachers play a critical role in the development of their students. The things that children learn and encounter during their first few school years can impact views of themselves and the world around them, later affecting their failure or success in high school, college, and adult