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Summary: EXCITING ANSWERS TO WHAT MAKES EFFECTIVE TEACHERS
Review: 10 TRAITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE TEACHERS by Elaine K. McEwan is bound to be a best seller. The American public is tired of pie-in-the-sky theory; they want no-nonsense answers about what makes administrators and teachers effective so that these traits can be emulated and transferred to the next generation of educators. Ms. McEwan admits in the book that she likes lists; and the busy reader profits from her lists because they contain substance. Her lists are not full of superfluous rhetoric but are nuggets of digestible truth. What traits should quality teachers seek to develop? McEwan lays them out concisely. What should principals do to encourage classroom teachers? McEwan tells the inquiring reader. What questions should a principal and/or a committee ask when hiring prospective teachers? McEwan spells them out through helpful snippets of real-world scenarios. How can a teacher develop his own teaching style? McEwan gives fascinating examples. How can a teacher manage instructional time to the maximum? McEwan illustrates actual experiences from her own life as an experienced educator. McEwan's book is not wordy, and it can be consumed in small bites which is a must for over-committed educators. However, her content and style make the reader want to keep reading. Having been a classroom teacher for over 29 years, I found myself saying "Amen" again and again; but I also found myself learning new information to which I had never been exposed. Elaine McEwan is indeed a teacher of teachers, a leader among administrators; and her book should serve as a quality textbook for those who want to follow one of the highest callings in life.
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Summary: What makes an Effective Teacher?
Review: 10 Traits of Highly Effective Teachers by Elaine K. McEwan is well put together book, with lots of graphic organizers to clearly illustrate the ten traits. It concisely lists and explains the traits that make administrators and teachers effective. This book provides tools for teachers, administrators, and mentors to help others and themselves become more effective. Principals and administrators will find ideas to help them improve instruction, become more able mentors, and motivate effective teachers. Teachers will find information and inspiration to define personal definitions of effective teaching. The book will give every teacher a renewed sense of mission and vision of what teaching can be. McEwan's book divides the traits into three categories: personal traits, teaching traits, and knowledge traits. She introduces you to each trait through real-life examples, personal vignettes, and reflections of students, parents and educators. She provides many lists, questions, and exercises to empower teachers and nurture the ten traits.
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Summary: Has anyone read this book?
Review: The two reviews (so far) for this book were obviously written by the interns at the publishing house or publicist's office. So, obviously, this book isn't entirely effective, is it? Keep on moving, folks. Nothing to see here.
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Summary: 10 Traits all teachers should consider before teaching
Review: When I first chose to read this book, I wasn't sure how much of it would pertain to mentoring. My concern increased when I received the book and it listed only one chapter dealing, officically, with mentoring. My concerns quickly vanished as I began to read. This book is an excellent book for new teachers to read or for mentors to share with them. It focuses on all aspects of teaching and stresses the importance of the well rounded teacher and their ability to be a real person. It states that the intellectual abilities are just one component of an effective teacher and encourages teachers to be respectful, empathetic, creative, and to have a sense of humor. There are also suggestions on how to encourage and empower experienced teachers. This book comes with graphic organizers that can be used to create presentations for in services or new teacher orientations and the author has granted permission for such usage. Ten Traits of Highly Effective Teachers makes a great addition to my professional library.
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