We have now spent a great deal of time discussing the different roles that teachers play in the lives of their students as well as how these roles have changed as society’s needs and values have changed. We have identified several well-known teacher’s whose effective teaching has had a direct impact on his or her students and examined what characteristics of these teachers makes their teaching worth highlighting. These teachers are considered to be “agents of change” because their teaching has brought about an unexpected outcome (usually positive) in the lives of their students.

You are asked to select one notable teacher who is considered to be an “agent of change”. Please research and write a critical analysis of his or her life paying specific attention to teaching approaches that most directly have a positive impact on his or her students. For example, you might explore Jaime Escalante’s experiences preparing his Latino students for the Advanced Placement Exam in calculus.

You are asked to prepare a 4-6 page research paper highlighting the following questions/areas of focus:

• Please provide biographical information that emphasizes the specific events where s/he has made impact on the lives of children.
• What qualifies this teacher to be an “agent of change”?
• What “roles” does this teacher plan in the lives of his or her students?
• Are there any early experiences in this teacher’s life that may have helped to shape the way in which this teacher works with his or her students?
• How have the lives of his or her students changed because of this teacher?
• Can you identify any specific characteristics of this teacher that help you to define him or her as an “effective teacher”?
• In what ways does this teacher match you own description of an “effective” teacher? In what ways is s/he different?

We have also discussed the fact that many of the films and texts describing notable teachers often depict a limited period of time where the teacher and his or her students may have overcome extraordinary odds. As you research the life of the teacher you have selected, please explore his or her life beyond this time period.

• Does he or she continue to be considered a notable teacher?
• What happens to his or her students as they move on from this teacher’s classroom?
• How does this teacher have a long-term impact on the lives of his or her students?

You are asked to research a notable teacher using a variety of biographical information available through our libraries. You may find biographies to be useful. However you should also consider consulting newspaper articles, magazine and journal articles as well as other resources available in our libraries. You may find it helpful to consult with a reference librarian about specific resources that may be helpful to you.