teachers play an important role in the classroom

Many teachers are unaware of the role they play in the classroom and how it is directly linked to the learning ability of the students. My response to the observation by principal Novella Mayberry of Mrs. Lynette's American history lesson is that the students learned absolutely nothing. I feel that her first mistake was that all they did in class was scribble notes. When a student is rushing to take notes to keep up with the professor they are blocking out most of what she is saying because they are concentrating on writing. The teacher could have used more technology in her class instead of a traditional seat-based lesson. The second problem that I have with this lesson is that the principal is pretty sure that Mrs. Lynette is using her notes that she has had for years. This indicates to me that she is not a very motivated teacher. Information changes from day to day and we have new technology flowing in on a daily basis. She should try to be more current in her teaching and try to find new interesting materials or even web sites to show to engage her students. The fact that there is very little interaction between the teacher and her students just goes to show that the class is boring and students are not interested. When you engage the interest of your students you will know. Hands will be flying and discussions will be flowing like a river. The class ended with a dull blank to me. A reading assignment and a worksheet ends the class. Are the students teaching themselves? The class should have ended with the teacher giving them something interesting to think about and capture their attention, that might even lead into the next lesson. Nothing about this lesson engaged higher-order skills through collaborative problem solving This lesson Mrs. Lynette gave was a complete failure. Even if the principal is very good friends with her she should have a nice talk with her about her teaching, or should I say failure to teach.