PRESIDENT’S BLOG: WHAT MAKES A GREAT TEACHER?

Love of God, love of students, love of subject. In that order. 

— John Clapp, AMHS Theology Instructor

What makes a great teacher?

This was one of the questions I posed to several members of our faculty in preparation for my blog series this year highlighting the vocation of teaching. You can imagine the breadth of responses due in part to our range of faculty who vary in age, gender, years of teaching experience and subject area. The question itself lies at the root of why one becomes a teacher in the first place. All of the teachers who participated in this reflection exercise could point back to a teacher who inspired them or who challenged them to think differently. This month I am sharing responses from a few of our remarkable teachers and their responses to questions including, what makes a great teacher? I happened to love the response from John Clapp above.

A great teacher guides students in many ways, not just in the knowledge of the subject area, but makes students better people. A great teacher will teach lessons that the students take with them their entire lives, maybe not even understand them until they mature more, but they will not ever forget what they have learned. That’s education—what students remember after they’ve forgotten everything they’ve learned in school.

— Keith Curtis, AMHS Band Instructor

I believe great teachers start with “Step 0.” This means that the student must feel safe and secure in the classroom in order to learn. 

— Danielle Appleby, AMHS Director of ARC

What do you feel is the mission of Catholic schools?

To propagate the Gospel. Period. Pure and simple.

— John Clapp

The mission of Catholic schools is to foster the development of leaders in our communities.

— Danielle Appleby

I suppose developing the moral/ethical compass is central to the mission. I should think that Christian morals are a key focus—basically boiling down to compassion and service to others. The entire body of the school should be united in this mission, as a fellowship of lifelong learners who value truth, knowledge, and habits of excellence.

— Keith Curtis

Of all of the lessons or topics you have taught, what is your favorite and why?

I don’t really teach lessons or topics as much as I build relationships—with the subject (music chiefly), with others, and with myself. Teaching people how to be better is my business.

— Keith Curtis

Anytime when I feel “I’ve got them”—that there is a genuine interest in a discussion that goes well.

— John Clapp

Mindfulness. I have been doing a lot of reading on mindfulness over the last few years since I started incorporating it into my teaching about five years ago. There is so much research out there about the benefits of mindfulness and I really enjoy educating students about the power they hold within themselves.

— Danielle Appleby

If you could go back in time and give yourself advice as a first year teacher what would it be and why?

Relax. I think as a first year teacher I put so much thought into everything I did that at times, I lost sight of the most important piece to teaching which is relationships with students. Once that clicked for me, everything else seemed to fall into place.

— Danielle Appleby

I would tell myself to be more patient; that, like in all disciplines, it is practice, practice, practice and experience.

— John Clapp

The thing I learned after my first year was to never let students get away with being lame. Now I always demand that they contribute—even if it’s a small contribution. Everyone must bring something to the ensemble. 

— Keith Curtis

What teachers inspired you throughout your academic career prior to becoming a teacher?

Jim Fish, Bellarmine Prep. While going through a difficult time during high school, he noticed that I had dipped and something was off. I was shocked that he had recognized this and it felt good to have an adult looking out for me. I knew that I wanted to be that person for other students.

— Danielle Appleby

Father Marvin O’Connell, History professor at Notre Dame.

— John Clapp

Mr. Elarth at Roosevelt High taught English/sci-fi/world philosophies as a class. He was very inspirational to me as a person. My Spanish teacher, Ms. Yakushijin also at Roosevelt inspired me to attend college. Musically, I had a lot of teachers (different band director almost every year) but the one who basically got me inspired to become a lead trumpet player was my band director in 7th grade, Mr. Lanier.

— Keith Curtis

What did you love most about school as a high school or college student?

I attended five high schools, so a sense of belonging was the most valuable experience for me. I found that sense in music groups in high school and college, bands especially, and on journalism staffs. I also played all the sports available but never had as much fun as I had in music ensembles.

— Keith Curtis

I must admit that I was indifferent to my high school years. I did not hate them as some have but I could not wait to grow up, be independent, and go to college. I loved the independence and fellowship of college and feel that I am today what college made of me.

— John Clapp

As a high school student, I loved softball. Our team sat together at lunch during the season. During my senior year there were nine seniors on the varsity team and we were very close. We were a funky group of girls who wore “safety precaution gear” on game day instead of our team gear and called out, “Spatula!” when someone got a hit. We were strange and silly and loved every minute of it. 

— Danielle Appleby