Why Tough Teachers Get Good Results

Would you rather have a nice and fun teacher or an intimidating and challenging teacher?  In the article "Why Tough Teachers Get Good Results", Joanne Lipman emphasizes on how the education system needs to be "old-fashion"- meaning no more giving the students the easy way out of learning.  At the beginning of the article, Lipman gave an example of a teacher she once had.  He was strict and wanted the orchestra to be PERFECT.  If someone was off key, he would stop the whole orchestra and called them "idiots".  Lipman compliments on this his way of teaching.  However, not the name calling but definitely the challenging aspect of it.  She also encourages for the education system to implement tougher teaching skills.

Overall, I absolutely agree with Lipman and her findings in this article.  I do believe that students today are being spoiled in the classrooms.  They are handed the information and basically copying it onto their papers for grading.  Easy A+.  I have also noticed that teachers give out way too many praises.  Praises, as stated in the article, are good but not great to be used all the time.  Sometimes it is okay to tell a student that they are wrong.  It will only encourage them to work harder the next time around to get the right answer.  Lately, I have been hearing teachers tell students to "don't memorize" information.  Well if you don't memorize, how else can you retain the information.  The article then mentions that "cultural difference helps to explain why students in China (Chinese families int he U.S.) are better in math."  Not to be bias, but I am proud to have grown up in an Asian decent household.  My parents and siblings pushed me to work harder in school.  While I was still in 2nd grade, I remember them already teaching me 3rd grade materials!  My father would be disappoint, not only in me, but also my brother and sisters when we make a B or lower on assignments.  As a result, I am a hardworker in school and I do not complain much about the amount of assignments given.  Instead, I work on those assignments to the best of my ability and I always keep in mind that I am a day closer to becoming a teacher.  When I do get my own classroom, I do see myself implementing these "old-fashion" teaching.