Vilsack Asks Meeker What Makes a Good Teacher

Christie Vilsack, a resident of Ames, who is running for Iowa's 4^th District,  said she would support a for new elementary schools while visiting on Monday.

“I voted for the library. I don't think I've not voted for a bond issue in my life. I feel pretty strongly about education,” Vilsack said.

Vilsack made the comment after talking to a group of fifth graders in Dawn Remsburg's classroom about the importance of running for office.

In the classroom where Vilsack spoke, there was a dry erase board, a projector and a single laptop on the teacher's desk. Meeker is one of three schools that would be replaced if a bond referendum is approved April 3.

During a question and answer session, Vilsack told students that she saw a classroom of the future in Pocahontas.

“They built a new school and every student in the school has a laptop computer and every classroom has big screens. … It's a high tech school,” she said.

Laptops allowed students to work at home. In the future Vilsack said students will be able to learn all the time.

While the classroom of the future was easy to describe, Vilsack, a teacher of 38 years, said it was difficult to explain what makes a good teacher.

“What makes a great teacher is one who understands that everyone learns differently,” she said.

Vilsack said a good teacher brings out the special part of every student and makes them want to learn.

“There is no test that can test whether you are a good teacher,” Vilsack said. “I'm not sure that you can write it down on a piece of paper.”

Vilsack then asked students what they thought makes a good teacher.

One student suggested good teachers kept them busy.

Another said, “They are not always grouchy all the time.”

After Vilsack's stop she announced her plan to grow educational opportunities, which is all available on her website.

She said that she would focus on early start and head start programs, push for the federal government to fully fund all its mandates, and include a special Race to the Top program for rural schools and work to preserve Pell Grants and income based repayment programs in higher education.