f.+Chapter+6+-+Who+is+the+Variable?


 * Chapter 6 Summary**
 * Who is the Variable in the classroom?**


 * The author discusses the difference between a great teacher and a poor teacher: taking responsibility. A great teacher will take the responsibility for students not doing well on a test or in a class, whereas a poor teacher will try to blame the parents, students, or administration for problems with management, poor testing, or other failures in the classroom. Great teachers always take responsibility for their own actions, and move to improve the work that they do with children by starting with their own actions.**
 * The author also discusses the need to take responsibilty for one's actions outside the classroom, as well. The author took part in a panel opening communication between educators and business leaders. During this panel, it was apparent that the business leaders were upset that the people that they hired couldn't add, subtract, read, write, or show up to work on time. They were asking why the teachers were not teaching these skills to the children. Whitaker went on to ask them why they had hired these people without knowing that the person had the ability to do the job. He then continued to tell them that instead of blaming one another, they needed to work together in order to be "more productive and effective" in what they do. All in all, he described that the most integral part of any job is taking responsibility for one's own actions.**