This entry is intended to help students and their parents when working with the "Organized Teacher" archetype, and goes with my last three blog entries, including "10 Teacher Archetypes" and "Strategies for Working with the 'Old School' Teacher". I hope this is helpful, and would love to hear your feedback. I've also reposted a summary of the Organized Teacher below, so that you don't have to look it up in previous posts.
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
Strategies for Working with the "Organized Teacher"
· Since this teacher gives plenty of advance warning for tests, he or she may even have a regular schedule for quizzes that is well-known to students. Such an advantage gives students ample time to organize themselves and work out a study plan-of-action. While getting advance notice for important exams is kind of a luxury, it requires more self-regulation on the part of the student, which may be difficult for those students who are less mature or who may have certain learning differences.
· Because this teacher may not be the most effective communicator, it may be beneficial to schedule an appointment during office hours, if the class or the current topic is a challenging one. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification of concepts outside of the regularly, scheduled class.
· This type of teacher may be very advanced in his/her subject area, but may not have put so much time and effort into actual teaching techniques. Therefore, the Organized Teacher may have difficulty understanding that others do not process information exactly as he or she does. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the subject matter during class—even when those questions might make the student feel embarrassed. We’ve all been around individuals who are so sharp that some of the rest of us feel like “dummies” in their presence. So what! Your teacher isn’t working in a research lab somewhere (at the moment), he or she is teaching a class, and the only stupid question is the one you didn’t ask.
· For subjects that are particularly advanced in nature, it may be advisable to bring a tape recorder to lectures. That way, the student can listen and take notes a second or a third time, if necessary. Because the teacher may go through the material at such a fast pace, it may be extremely helpful to be able to listen to the same lecture more than once, while refining one’s notes.
· Although this teacher may not be opposed to meeting with parents or students who request it, there’s not much that he or she may be willing to do—if anything--in order to adjust the test schedule or the grades. The Organized Teacher usually maintains strict policies re: student absences (regardless of reason), and has a policy for make-up work that may or may not include the option for make-up tests.
· For those who are excellent with study skills and time management, the Organized Teacher should work out well. But for those who struggle, it might behoove students and their parents (if the student is under college age) to try and transfer to a different class or teacher.
· For anyone with an IEP or a 504 plan, don’t be afraid to respectfully assert yourselves. If there are no other teachers or classes available, it may be necessary to make sure that the dean or the principal is aware or your situation. The Organized Teacher generally has no axe to grind, so he or she shouldn’t have a problem making accommodations for those with documented neurological processing disorders or disabilities. And it never hurts to have those with higher authority “in the know”.
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
Strategies for Working with the "Organized Teacher"
· Since this teacher gives plenty of advance warning for tests, he or she may even have a regular schedule for quizzes that is well-known to students. Such an advantage gives students ample time to organize themselves and work out a study plan-of-action. While getting advance notice for important exams is kind of a luxury, it requires more self-regulation on the part of the student, which may be difficult for those students who are less mature or who may have certain learning differences.
· Because this teacher may not be the most effective communicator, it may be beneficial to schedule an appointment during office hours, if the class or the current topic is a challenging one. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification of concepts outside of the regularly, scheduled class.
· This type of teacher may be very advanced in his/her subject area, but may not have put so much time and effort into actual teaching techniques. Therefore, the Organized Teacher may have difficulty understanding that others do not process information exactly as he or she does. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the subject matter during class—even when those questions might make the student feel embarrassed. We’ve all been around individuals who are so sharp that some of the rest of us feel like “dummies” in their presence. So what! Your teacher isn’t working in a research lab somewhere (at the moment), he or she is teaching a class, and the only stupid question is the one you didn’t ask.
· For subjects that are particularly advanced in nature, it may be advisable to bring a tape recorder to lectures. That way, the student can listen and take notes a second or a third time, if necessary. Because the teacher may go through the material at such a fast pace, it may be extremely helpful to be able to listen to the same lecture more than once, while refining one’s notes.
· Although this teacher may not be opposed to meeting with parents or students who request it, there’s not much that he or she may be willing to do—if anything--in order to adjust the test schedule or the grades. The Organized Teacher usually maintains strict policies re: student absences (regardless of reason), and has a policy for make-up work that may or may not include the option for make-up tests.
· For those who are excellent with study skills and time management, the Organized Teacher should work out well. But for those who struggle, it might behoove students and their parents (if the student is under college age) to try and transfer to a different class or teacher.
· For anyone with an IEP or a 504 plan, don’t be afraid to respectfully assert yourselves. If there are no other teachers or classes available, it may be necessary to make sure that the dean or the principal is aware or your situation. The Organized Teacher generally has no axe to grind, so he or she shouldn’t have a problem making accommodations for those with documented neurological processing disorders or disabilities. And it never hurts to have those with higher authority “in the know”.
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