Ways to be a GREAT Teacher
To be a great teacher, I think you need to model the behaviors you’d like your students to exhibit. Here are a few of my favorites:
Be a life-long learner. I believe there is always something to learn, no matter how long you’ve been in the classroom. Here are some good books and sources to get you started.
The First Days of School by Harry Wong.
Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov.
Mathematical Mindsets by Jo Boaler
Lead4ward.com - Lead4ward is a company that offers so much to educators. There is lots of information on the standards and data, but they also have great ideas for engaging students
Build collaborative relationships. Of course it is very important to build relationships with students, but it is vital to build good relationships with other educators. Don’t underestimate the value of a great mentor or co-worker in your grade/content or building. There are also various online communities that can give you helpful hints.
Set clear expectations for your classroom. Show, don’t just tell, students how you expect them to behave and the structures you want for your classroom. Be sure to practice those as well. Revisit them when students get off track or after a holiday break. Time you take at the beginning of school will save time in the long-run.
Take care of yourself. Great teachers give a lot of themselves, but as the saying goes, “you cannot pour from an empty cup.” Be well-rounded and maintain a balance between work-life and personal-life.
Make your classroom environment a place students want to visit. This involves both the physical space and the activities you present. Remember that clip from Ferris Bueller? There is an infamous clip of a teacher delivering a dry lecture. Students are zoned out, asleep, and even drooling. Keep the energy alive and remember students’ attention spans.
I wish you a great year. These are just a few ideas to get you started. If you have others, give me a shout-out at anna@holmgreeneducationalconsultants.com.
