I may even be considered intelligent!...who knew?

Intelligence is defined as the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations. This definition more or less brings the meaning of intelligence to a more attainable level for more people. I think I may even be considered intelligent, based on the above definition. I always thought intelligent people were just smarter people, but come to find out they are just “normal” people who have the ability to learn and understand and deal with multiple situations. Most days, I can even do that!

Teaching our students to become intelligent individuals seems to be more manageable to me now that I have come to realize the true meaning. Giving students the tools, resources and information they need to learn and to understand material that is covered within the classroom will assist them in their venture to become intelligent individuals. Teaching them, through actions and words, how to deal with new, trying and even at times, uncomfortable situations, will assist them on their trail of becoming intelligent. This includes their learning what is expected of them within the classroom in regards to academics and well as behavior.

Character is defined as one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual. Knowing that character can be good or bad, I would like to think that it is part, hopefully not a huge part, of my responsibility to help my students distinguish themselves as individuals with positive attributes. The best form of instilling character, I would imagine, would be to emanate positive characteristics. Praising students for good behaviors as well as identifying those behaviors that are not ideal within or outside the classroom, will assist the students’ growth in this area.

Treating all of my students with respect, being consistent with swift discipline, being active about preventing misbehavior, encouraging appropriate behavior and making classroom rules known in the beginning and reiterating as needed, will play a big role in my emanating the quote by Gloria Steinem “Intelligence plus character – this is the true goal of education.”