This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2009, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Tiernan Dunmeyer
Fifth-grade teacher, Nibley Elementary School, Cache School District
Q » What makes a good teacher?
A » If you're passionate about teaching, students will be passionate about learning! A teacher's passion will be evident in every aspect of their teaching -- in their preparation, presentation, and daily interactions with students. Good teachers recognize the immutable truth that children will rise to the level of our expectations. The result is confidence! When children gain confidence through their hard work and efforts, and through overcoming challenges placed before them, they learn to feel great about themselves and lift others in the process. Good teachers also make teaching relevant to students through personal connections. Whether you're teaching Latino students, Polynesian students, African-American students, or Caucasian students, to name a few, a good teacher adjusts presentation of the curriculum to include the voice, the culture, and the perspective of the local community.
Q » What can parents do to improve their child's academic achievement?
A » Children model what they see and what they are exposed to. If parents are passionate about learning, their children will see it. Making "learning at home" a family-centered event, whether reading together or making dinner in the presence of children doing homework, sends the message that education is not only the No. 1 priority, but also a family affair. Challenge your child! Allow your children to succeed, and experience disappointment as well. Counter the negative effects of instant gratification in society by teaching children that it is only through repeated efforts and overcoming challenges, both academically and emotionally, that they will develop the confidence necessary to allow them to feel good about their achievement.
Q » What can lawmakers and state education officials do to improve education in Utah?
A » Balance the need for standardized testing and highly structured reading and math programs with the creativity and the abilities of countless thousands of successful teachers in this state. In other words, allow teachers to use field trips, extracurricular experiences, and creative problem-solving in the teaching of core standards. Methodology and pedagogy can be taught, but the diversity of views and the vast pool of creative ideas that define great teaching are abundant in this great state.