1. What are the characteristics of a good teacher?

The twelve characteristics of a good teacher enumerated by De La Salle are the

following:
I. Gravity(Seriousness)
Teachers earn respect by acting with dignity. They cultivate an assured and calming
presence.
II. Silence
The classroom atmosphere should normally be harmonious and quiet, leading to more
effective teaching. The teacher will not talk too much.
III. Humility
We are human. We make mistakes. We therefore never abuse our powers and instead
make pupils feel respected.
IV. Prudence
Teachers use their common sense, understanding what they need to do and what they
need to avoid when dealing with children.
V. Wisdom
The teacher’s knowledge and experience is applied with sound judgement. Wisdom may
take time to acquire.
VI. Patience
The teacher who can keep cool, composed and even-tempered will be a better educator.
VII. Reserve(Self-control)
De La Salle wants teachers to control themselves and show restraint in the face of
annoyance.
VIII. Gentleness
Firmness and authority is tempered with kindness and courtesy such that the teacher is
always approachable.
IX. Zeal
The Lasallian teacher is dedicated and committed whether it be in class preparation,
correcting work, encouraging effort, supervising or coaching.
X. Vigilance
The teacher is to be observant and discerning so as to promote values and prevent
damage and danger. A caring teacher is vigilant.
XI. Piety
The teacher, knowing each pupil is a child of God, will confide them to God’s protection
while doing everything possible to prepare them for life.
XII. Generosity
This puts service before personal convenience. De La Salle wants teachers to be unselfish
in their giving, always available and approachable whether in or out of the classroom.

2. Discuss briefly the meaning of these sayings:

A. The sheep need to know their shepherd.
 This saying represents teacher and student. The student must know their teacher as well
as teachers to their student. A teacher is responsible for leading students and watching over them,
so student’s must know teachers’ interest and attitudes for them to understand their teacher. It all
means that a follower need to know first his leader.
B. A school for the poor but open to all.
This saying represents equality in attaining education. La Salle established the school to
help the poor people but he also accept elite students that wants to enter his school.
3. How to ask questions during catechism?
The teacher will question the students in order of the benches. If, however, the teacher
notes that several in succession cannot answer a question or do not do it well, the teacher may
call upon one or several out of the regular order and in different parts of the class. Then, after
having given the signal once, the teacher will make a sign to another to answer. After one or
several have answered, the one upon whom the teacher had called before in the regular order will
be called on.
The teacher will question all of the students each day, several times, if possible; however,
the teacher will interrupt the regular order and the sequence from time to time to question those
observed to be inattentive or worse, ignorant.
Teachers will not question students on the summary in succession in the order in which
they are seated on the benches, as done for the lessons on the subject assigned for the week.
A teacher may sometimes question one or more students in different places around the
room. A teacher might ask sometimes one or more questions on the sacrament of Penance, one or
more questions on the holy Eucharist or some other subject. These questions will be asked in the
above manner and without regular order. The teacher will continue to ask questions on the
summary in this manner throughout the first half hour.

4. Why teachers must enforce silence in school?

Because for Lasallian silence imposed for discipline, it is one of the principal means of
establishing and maintaining order in schools. Silence has a social aspect by creating an
atmosphere conducive to work, it indicates a concern for others and true respect for them. To
effect this, teachers will make students understand that they must keep silent because God sees
them and it is God’s holy will and not just because the teacher is present.
5. How to handle stubborn students?
The teacher will call them and speak with them gently, making them realize and admit
their fault, both originally and in resisting. The teacher will then correct the student as an
example. In case the student is not yet willing to accept the correction, the student must be forced
to do so, for only a single example of resistance would be needed to produce several afterward.
When it seems that the bad mood has passed, the teacher will gently make the student draw near
to reflect on the incident. The teacher will lead the student afterward to admit the fault and to ask
pardon while kneeling.
6. Enumerate and discuss the different pedagogy of the Lasallian education mentioned in the
article.
1. Preventive Pedagogy- Prevention takes place also in the educational relationship
wanted by De La Salle. It is not a way for the teacher to protect his/her authority, or to avoid
disorder in classroom. Instead it seeks to protect the pupil from anything that can damage the
integrity of his person, disturb his work, or make him bad choices regarding his life.
2. Psycho-Pedagogy- uses practical and effective means to acquire a personalized
knowledge and how teachers should act towards their pupils.
3. Positive Pedagogy- it speaks of the way to teach decorum and civility to children. The
approach is not to repress, blame and ridicule or have a low opinion of the pupils.