The teacher’s first task is to convince his students that it’s in their best interest to learn, so that he’ll have their full attention as he teaches. In the fast-paced, ADHDTV world in which kids are raised today. this is more difficult than it’s ever been.
This strategy assumes that the teacher actually has something beneficial to teach his students. While rote memorization of facts which will be tested on a mandatory exam may benefit students somehow, this is mostly an arbitrary and self-defeating exercise in hoop-jumping. While dutifully carrying out the commands of those with power over yourself is a useful job skill in the current market, it can hardly be considered an education.
It is more important for young people to learn critical thinking, creative thinking, social skills, concentration, and an attitude of consistent, energetic enthusiasm towards the task they take upon themselves to carry out.
Again, these things are easiest to teach when a student is convinced of the truth that these attributes (thinking etc.) will be beneficial to them. The ability to do this seperates the people who consider teaching “a job” from those who genuinely enjoy the process of helping those close to them grow. These are the keepers of the flame.