1. To treat every person as if they were good. 2. Although I helps out the teacher and saves a few minutes, those who scored poorly will feel embarrassed. On the other hand, those who scored great may feel awkward having attention brought to them. Further, inclusion of special ed. is becoming ever popular, so those kids may really be uncomofortable with other students grading their work b/c they are usually aware of their difficulties and struggles. 3. The teacher should never argue with the beligerent parent, instead we should model good behavior. We don't want to waste time arguing (which we'll probably lose anyway), and the parents will be sure to tell other parents, "Boy, Mrs. Queen sure got hyped up today...". It is just a bad idea to argue with parents! 4. The teachers in the schools that exceeded test scores don't believe in the value of testing more than others, they are just more aware of the importance of those test results to others. They know that others (parents, other schools, etc.) place a lot of value on those scores. The teachers in schools that didn't exceed expectations on stand. tests only define student achievement in terms of std. test results.
5.Great teachers will always teach the essentials, but all teachers have to adhere to the current curriculum and state standards.
6. The kids will do what's right. They'll be respectful to everyone, care about learning and care about each other. It will be a more positive environment. 7. Don't laugh, don't comment, don't do anything- just do what's right. 8. We must first connect emotionally w/students b/f we can connect w/their minds. Pg.127- #4 "Great teachers have high expectations for students but even higher expectations for themselves". This is most essential to me b/c we must constantly achieve for greater. Constantly expect more from ourselves, as well as the kids-sets high standards.

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1. The internal standard to support effective practice is to base our decisions on is"who is the most comfortable and who is least comfortable in this situation" and base that on the best people.
2. It is unwise to have children grade each other's papers is because it only benefits the teacher. Although for different reasons, students with low and high grades are uncomfortable with this practice and the result will not encourage the performance of the kids.
3. Treat everyone as if they were good and we encourage the goodness in them. We have to model appropriate behavior in order to teach those behaviors.
4. The major difference was that the more effective schools looked at student achievement as more than just test scores. They took into account social skills, self-worth, behavior, responsibility, and involvement in school. They also realized that you can't make state standards the center of your school because standards change but doing what's best for the students doesn't.
5. A teacher that understands that we help the students develop the skills needed to improve test scores, not just test an increase in scores.
6. When it is cool to care, then anything is possible!
7. The great teachers choose to do what is right, be it choosing not to laugh or just being quiet.
8. We have to connect with their hearts. They have to know we care.
I believe that of the 14 things that matter most, having great teachers is what matters most. Those teachers are great because they have the other 13 things figured out already!

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1. The one internal standard that supports effective practices when making decisions which follow no clearly stated rule is to ask "who is most comfortable and who is least comfortable in this situation?" This goes along with the guideline--Make every decision based on the best people. 2. The old practice of "trade and grade" helps no one but the teacher. However, I would never take a grade based upon a student grading a paper anyway! I feel it's best to have the students grade their own papers for self-evaluation purposes. The other way just opens the door to hurt feelings and embarrassment. 3. We must realize that it is never beneficial to argue with difficult people because "they are always right". If we apply the ground rule when dealing with belligerent parents, it can help bring clarity to our decision-making. It will give us guidelines to follow. We may decide to do something that will make some parents uncomfortable, but at the very least, our decisions will not make our best parents uncomfortable. 4. In the schools that exceeded expectations, they realized the importance of test results to the outside world. Success on the test brought them greater autonomy to do what they believed was best for students. The schools that did not exceed expectations defined student achievement only in terms of test scores. 5. The state standards definitely have to dictate what is mainly taught in a classroom; however, you have to teach to each child's needs and interests also. That is when a great teacher's creativity and innovation comes into play.
6. Because if we create an environment where each person does what is best for the students and for the school, we will seldom make a wrong decision. Once it is cool to care, anything becomes possible--there are no wrong decisions. 7. Walk away or don't confront them. Just do the right thing and be an example. 8. Touch their hearts!

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8. Great teacher must connect with student emotions before they connect with their minds. If a student sees that you respect them, care about them, and believe in them, they will extend that same respect to you and you will be amazed just how much they are willing to learn.
*I feel that all fourteen core beliefs are important to becoming a great teacher and teaching great kids, but #6 speaks to me. Every person deserves respect and if you extend respect ot everyone and offer genuine praise, you and your students will be successful.

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1. As the author states, "When making decisions, ask who is most comfortable and who is least comfortable in this situation."
2. Both the low scoring and high scoring students will be embarrased..
3. As the book states, don't argue with parents. They love to argue and they're probably better at it than the teacher. Plus, it adds fuel to the gossip that spreads like wildfire.
4. The teachers at effective schools didn't value test more than teachers at the less effective schools. However, they did understand the great value that others place on test scores. I really agree with this quote :" They (effective teachers) were fully aware that success on standardized tests brought them greater autonomy to do what they believed was the best for students." Our school does this.
5. Every decision a teacher makes about what she does in her classroom SHOULD be based on what is BEST for her students. "Getting people to do the right thing is essential" according to the author.
6. Let's automatically assume the teacher thinks it cool to care. That means that 1 person spreads their support and encouragement aroung among 20 or so students. But if everyone thinks it's cool to care, you've dramatically increased the amount of support and encouragement your students receive. Their positive behavior and academic achievements will follow suit. 7. I believe there's no 1 standard comment or retort that should be universally applied to every situation, except DO WHAT IS RIGHT! 8. We must connect with students on an emotional level before we can connect with them on a factual/logical level. I believe this holds true when dealing with parents, too.

#14 seems to sum it all up in 1 simple, though profound, statement--Great teachers care about their students. If you don't care about your students, it doesn't matter what you do in your classroom, you will have failed your students.

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7.) Simply address them with love! Too often we tend to simply walk away and that makes it as much our problem as theirs.
8.) Students must be able and willing to get to know their children. Not just their names, but really get to know them! Their parents, their homes, their struggles and their dreams. Then we can hope to reach them through a since of mutual trust and respect. It’s a great thing when it happens!
9.) In my opinion, the very first listed is the most important. “great teachers never forget that it is people, not programs, that determine the quality of a school”. Truly as teachers we tend to feel swallowed up by the constantly changing and evolving programs and curriculum the pass through our doors each year, but it is the truly gifted teacher that can and only can make it all work!

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1. When aking decisions that follow no clearly stated rules, ask who is most comfortable and who is least comfortable in the situation that needs addressed. 2.It is unwise fo have students trade papers for grading because it could draw unwanted attention to either the top or stuggling students. 3. Bellegerent parents want an audience and are good at putting on a show--don't give them the atisfaction. Instead try to stay calm and model the appropriate behavior. 4. Standardized tests measure only a part of what schools should be doing. Great teachers don't let the test rule their classrooms but focus on the behaviors that lead to success.5. Effective teachers know what is best for their students and teach accordingly.6. If an effective teacher establishes a "cool to care" atmosphere in their classroom, then most behavior issues will take care of themselves. It is important to treat others the way you want to be treated. 7. Simply don't address the comment or model what you know to be right. 8.It is very important for teachers to bond with their children that are entrusted to them each year. This also include establishing a repore with the parents. Our students need to know we care about them. This is the first step to motivate the student to want to do their best. 9. I Couldn't choose beween #4 and #8. These matter most to me in my classroom . I have high expectations of my students but at the same time I expect them to care about themselves and each other.

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1. Inmaking decisions, it is important to ask who is the most comfortable and who is least comfortable in this situation? 2. It is unwise for teachers to have students trade and grade each others papers for several reasons. First, not only does it make those with low grades uncomfortable, often, those with high grades would rather not have attention called to their performance. Next, there is the question of privacy. Some children will feel their grades are their own, and not be shared. Last, this practice benefits the teacher, not the student. 3.When dealing with a belligerent remember it is the hostile parent who feels most comfortable in a confrontation. As the author states, they have a lot more practice at it.

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1. One internal standard that supports effective practices: When making decisions , ask who is most comfortable and who is least comfortable in the situation.
2. It is unwise to have students "trade and grade" because the students with the low grades aren't comfortable and those with the high grades would rather not have attention called to their performance.
3. If a teacher argues with a billigerent parent; Who feels uncomfortable?Not the parent. Billigerent parents like to argue. Effective teachers do not argue with parents. Effective teachers make the people who do the right thing feel comfortable.
4. Standardized test measure only part of what a school is doing. Effective teachers focus on the behaviors that lead to success, not in beliefs that stand in the way of it. Effective teachers don't let standardized test take over the entire class.
5. The influence of what is taught in the classroom has to be what is best for the students.
6 "Cool to Care" This is what teahing is all about. Preparing students for life. Teaching students to get along with others, treating others with respect, and doing your best.
7. Just do what is right, no matter what others do around you.
8. We connect withe students emotionally before we connect with their minds. We have to understand that behaviors and beliefs are tied to emotions.
9. Of the 14 things that matter most listed in the summary I feel the foremost essential practice is "Great teachers care about their students" and if we care students will care.

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1. In every stituation, ask who is most comfortable and who is least comfortable before making a decision.
2. The low student doesn't want to be embarrassed in front of their peers by their grade, and sometimes this will bring unwanted attention to your top students.
3. Don't argue with a belligerent parent, they are to good at it. As teachers we should model the appropriate behavior in hopes of improving them. Don't sink to their level!
4. The difference between schools that exceeded expectations on standardized test and schools that didn't was that educators used the state standards to change their curriculm to center on the real issues of learning to improve student achievemnt. They made it fit them, instead of trying to fit the test.
5. Your should teach what your students need. Every decision we make should be about what is best for our students learning.
6. If we establish a environment where everyone cares, it will have a positive and lasting effect. Having a positive attitude and letting each student know we care will inturn be modeled back for us.
7.We just need to do what is right, not what is popular or funny. Model the behavior you want with your students and peers.
8. Take time to know your students. Show them that you do care, respect them, and that they matter regardless of where they come from or who they are.
9.Great teachers have high expectations- Because will have to be will to look to ourselves first. If something doesn't go as plan, don't look for blame. Back up, regroup, and present in a different way. The buck stops with us!

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