when i become a teacher in the far future:

• don't be afraid to slip out a “rude word” once in a while- it makes the students feel more comfortable and not so uptight in new surroundings
• always always always grade homework and give it back to students. i cannot stress how much i hated that my teachers graded work but never gave it back for me to take pride in my hard earned grade.
• do set a sense of expected respect and of authority. i've yet to decipher how to make this happen, but will keep a close eye on professor wb, and look back on mr carlin.
• powerpoints as visual aides are perfectly alright- if only used as visual aide. never ever use a power point to completely convey the idea to students- they are perfectly capable of reading on their own, what they need is help on understanding what they are reading. with every power point, go into class prepared and knowing of what is on the slides, so there is the possibility to speak without verbatim readings and to toss in or kick out helpful/time consuming thoughts
• same goes for syllabi and handouts, packets, study/review guides, etc.
• always encourage participation and open discussions. even if it pushes schedule behind, it is important to let students interact ideas and work together to discuss opinions and facts.
• stress that attendance is directly correlated to overall classroom success. don't forget to mention that if they've already paid for the class, they should put the effort in to milk out every strand of information they possibly can.
• do the best possible to put names to the faces- the more effort put in, the better positive feedback received.
• do not for any reason be lenient on late homework. no homework should ever be given at last minute, and schedules for class lessons and topics will always have homework assignments. if they don't do their work, they have to own up to the grade. (follow mr hoppers example)
• continuing on late homework, if you accept one assignment from a student late, you must do so for every student from thenforth. do not show any cracks on the surface, if you beat down the hammer from the beginning, expectations will rise and those who do not wish to succeed will stick out like sore thumbs amongst those who will do their work accordingly.
• no make ups for exams either. it isn't fair to those who did study and be obliged to take a test on one day, and accept others to take it in another day, allowing them to have longer time studying.
• share stories from my past. it helps students get to know me better, and allows me to show them important values and tips they should learn early in life, of which I did not have the commodity of.
• do not arrange desks in circles. ever.
• have an easily accessible virtual safehouse for assignments and classwork that absent students can retrieve information from.
• encourage personal email contact- for school related questions or if a friend or listening ear is needed.