METU, EDS 200 Section: 1

Name/surname: Mert Erdem

ID: 2568053

Activity 4: Week 11
Reflective paper on teaching effectiveness

Subject: Reflective paper on teacher effectiveness

Instructions: Read the chapter on Effective Teachers by Cruickshank and colleagues (pp.328-
345) and watch the movie “Stand and Deliver” produced by Tom Musco which is a true story
of Jamie Escalante (nickname: Kimo). Please discuss the effectiveness of Jamie Escalante as a
teacher. What makes him effective? Reflect on what you feel he does right or wrong based
on the literature. Use evidence from the movie when discussing your arguments, e.g.,
discuss the statements or phrases used by Kimo or the students.

Format: One-page, 1,5 spaces (Times New Roman)

Due: Dec. 30

I was very impressed with the story in the movie because I learned the definition of a real
effective teacher thanks to Kimo. Kimo’s effectiveness is indisputable. In Jamie's second
lesson, we see him disguised as a cook. Following such a path has a great role in attracting
students' attention and making the lesson fun. He takes on the role of a teacher not only in the
classroom but also in everyday life. For example, he tries to prevent fights between children
because he sees a light in one of his students and wants him not to get involved in these
things, and to give another example, he tries to get to know his students outside of school.
Being brave and not afraid of gang members, blending their temperament with education and
responding like them strengthens the communication with his students. Jamie uses humor
quite often in his classes. This shows that his communication with his students is strengthened
in this way. He dwells on the term ganas quite often. Ganas means desire. The main element
in the movie is the will of the teacher and his students, namely ganas. Moreover, unlike the
hopeless attitude of other teachers, he is confident in his students' capacity and is hopeful
about their future. Apart from the main students in the movie, he also voluntarily teaches
other groups such as primary school teacher and night school for adults. The problematic side
of Kimo, which caught my eye, is that he is over-involved and works with ambition. We can
see that he neglected his family. Besides, he is so passionate about education that he
sometimes ignores the problems of his students. For example, one of our characters, the "fish
head", tries to express that his grandmother is sick and therefore late, but Jamie is incapable of
listening to him. To sum up, Kimo is an effective and exemplary teacher who devoted his life
to education.
METU, EDS 200 Section: 1
Name/surname: Mert Erdem
ID: 2568053