Do Your Students Have to Like You? and More [Five for Friday]

1. KQ [f(t)] - Kate examines the idea of being "well-liked" by your students.  I read some research recently that said more than anything, students like teachers most who explained concepts to them in a way they could understand.  I can't find a link at the moment, but it certainly mirrors the way I felt about my "best" teachers.
2. Changing the public image of Teach for America [Wes' TFA Adventure] - A newly accepted Corps Member discusses the increasing amount of negative criticism of TFA in the media, and the organization's response (or lack thereof).  Personally, I'm concerned that they're on the edge of a serious public perception crisis, perhaps even worse than what Wes writes about.  If you're interested in a unique perspective on the organization that gave me my start in teaching, Wes's site is a good start.
3. students are human? [Math Be Brave] - Jesse and her colleagues stage an intervention when a good student's grades suddenly drop and reveal the kinds of challenges so many of our students struggle with every day.
4. The Power of Love (or is it lust?) [Math Tales from the Spring] - This is perhaps the best classroom story I've read this school year: Mrs. H discovers why one of her worst classes suddenly turned everything around.
5. No Boundaries Contest Explores Careers in STEM [Wired: GeekDad] - Win a trip to a NASA center (and cash) while learning about exciting careers in science, technology, engineering and math.