Extraordinary Teachers

I've been reading a book called Extraordinary Teachers by Fred Stephenson.  This book is a collection of papers that teachers have written about their teaching experiences.  In a chapter written by Loch K. Johnson, the author believes the elements of effective teaching include subject mastery, passion, rapport, listening, rigor, relevance, networking, self-improvement, enjoyment and commitment.  Of those characteristics, the one that really struck me were the comments about rapport.  Here's what Johnson said, "I once asked a friend, F.A.O. Schwarz, Jr., a successful New York trial attorney and grandson of the toy manufacturer, how he always seemed to win his cases.  Schwartz replied, 'Eye contact with the jury'.  In the classroom, nothing so improves rapport with students as eye contact.  Move around a little, ask some questions, and look into the faces of those whom you are trying to reach." Then, the best way to know you students is through informal chats that make students feel like the teacher is truly interested in them as individuals.  Johnson goes on to say that listening is an important characteristic of an effective teacher.  "Students should not be viewed merely as en empty vessel that we are supposed to fill up with information.  They become more interested in what we have to say when we take more interest in what they have to say."  Memo to self, no talking without also listening.