This post is relevant to 3/24 (7Teacher Archetypes) and 3/27 (Strategies for Students and Parents--Teacher Archetypes).  I've just added 3 more models.  So now there are 10 archetypes, instead of 7.

“All That” Teacher

·      May have chosen teaching as a 2nd or 3rd career, after working for many years in a different profession

·      Believes that he/she was born to teach, and may even exude a strong sense of bravado

·      Beneath a confident veneer, lies deep-seated insecurities

·      Through years of experience in other professions, is adept at playing the politics of working within a school system

·      May have a “larger than life” personality, and may be very popular with younger students

·      Has a deep love for students, and fully believes in their unlimited potential

·      Brings a new sense of excitement and commitment to teaching

·      Tendency to brag about and exaggerate his/her own accomplishments

·      Can be overbearing with colleagues; colleagues may feel that this teacher is out of touch with reality or full of him/herself

·      Needs to always be “right”

Organized Teacher

·      May be a high school teacher

·      Keeps meticulous student records

·      Maintains a current syllabus, so that students and teachers know what to expect

·      May even publish a teaching schedule, so that students and parents are aware of upcoming curriculum and tests

·      Sticks to his/her teaching schedule, but is easily able to make changes when needed

·      May not be the most exciting lecturer or presenter

·      May be able to process information at a fast rate, and may not be able to understand those who cannot do the same

·      May not be so adept at working with students who have learning differences

·      Might not be too much of an extrovert

·      Usually unwilling to make allowances for make-up tests, assignments, or grade changes

Fair and Solid Teacher

·      Veteran teacher

·      May teach at a top high school or a community college

·      From years of experience, knows how to pick his/her battles, and doesn’t waste energy or time otherwise

·      Conscientious in maintaining student records, syllabus, and teaching schedule

·      Doesn’t have an axe to grind, and is so much more effective for it

·      Fair and non-judgmental in his/her treatment of students

·      Willing to meet students during office hours or make an appointment outside of office hours, if necessary

·      Not a perfectionist, but a realist

·      Realizes the importance of maintaining balance in life

This blog is in reference to my posting from 3/24/13: 7 Teacher Archetypes, and is intended as a tool for helping students and parents to foster better communication and a better grade when working with their respective teachers.  Today I am posting strategies for working with the "Old School" Teacher, and will be posting strategies for all the teacher archetypes in the near future.  
Below is a summary of the characteristics of this archetype, followed by a list of strategies for working with this teacher. 

“Old School” Teacher

·      May have difficulty with technology

·      May have difficulty keeping accurate student files/paperwork

·      May be open-hearted toward students, and might easily be taken advantage of by them

·      May have difficulty with classroom management

·      Students may feel that this teacher is out of touch with current technology, but maintain a deep respect for him/her

·      Global learner

·      Maintains strong, core value and a belief in teaching as a loving profession

COPING SKILLS/STRATEGIES FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS: THE "OLD SCHOOL" TEACHER

·      This teacher responds favorably when students show that they are motivated to learn and willing to be accountable for their own actions.  Even if a student has made mistakes in the past, it may not be too late to appeal to this teacher’s willingness to work toward a better grade for the student.  The student might ask to meet with the teacher, and sincerely take personal responsibility for any missed assignments that he or she may have foregone.  See if it’s possible to make up any late work, or even retake a test that yielded a low score.  It’s important when dealing with this type of teacher to be sincere and honest. 

·      This teacher appreciates students who are in present time during class work and class discussions.  Class participation and handling oneself with self-control will go a long way.

·      This teacher may be willing to meet/talk/email parents who are seeking advice and help for their son or daughter.  He or she may even welcome such contact, because it shows that the parents care.  It’s important that such communication be handled respectfully and with consistency.  Also, parents must follow through with any commitments the teacher has made on behalf of the student.  (Simple documentation is a good thing.)  In other words, it may be necessary to politely remind the teacher about retaking a test or giving credit for a grade that was late.  In general, teachers are beyond-busy with many duties, and a teacher who makes allowances for student blunders has even more on his/her plate, and might be in need of a courteous reminder or two.

·      This teacher may not be so adept at working with technology, and may even feel uncomfortable about the rate of change in technological advances.  Finding out the type of communication that works best for this teacher will be helpful when fostering the relationships between teacher, student, and parents.  This teacher may prefer contact by phone or meeting in person during his/her office hours.  Whatever the case, and since this type of teacher is generally willing to go beyond the call of duty in order to help students, it behooves the student and family to accommodate which type and time of meetings work best for the teacher.   This can be challenging for parents with demanding careers who may even be out-of-town a lot.  But that’s the breaks. 

·      Outsourcing parent/teacher communication to another person such as a nanny may not yield the desired result with this type of teacher.

·      Remember that teaching is not a job, but rather, a lifestyle.  And no archetype embodies that lifestyle more than the “Old School” Teacher.   If a student or parent does not take the necessary time to seek help (if it’s needed) from this type of teacher and to consequently follow through with the requisite commitments, then positive change in the student’s work and grades are unlikely.