I strongly feel that to grow as a teacher requires being constantly reflective in an effort to impart effective methods to grow and develop onto each individual in my class. Here are some basic tenants that have evolved over time that help shape the lens that I view teaching and learning:
To be a better educator, try to simply be a better human being. It's not about crossing the t's and dotting the i's listed in some education self-help book. Don't get me wrong, education books are great, but should be used to build perspective to better inform practice, not dictate practice. You are not merely a disseminator of subject content. You are an adult - trust your ability to positively influence your students in life. Develop your own signature practice. There is no silver bullet!
Understand that learning is living. It is a living process, and cannot be turned off, much like breathing. Students are always learning, they just may not be learning what you expect or hope them to learn. Every student has talent and is engaged in some type of learning in their lives. To help engage students in the classroom, make efforts to identify the brilliance in each individual's life and create avenues to bring it into the academic environment. This can expand into practices related to shifting the center of the learning environment and focusing on creating a space where each student feels belonging. As an educator, resist creating a predetermined learning environment, and instead focus on valuing the various individuals in the class to create a learning community.
Be an educator, not a disciplinarian. Kids don't always do what they're expected to do. They're kids! Kids don't always make the best decisions. They're learning how to make decisions! Kids make mistakes. They're human! Disciplining students often forces them into a box usually doesn't address the underlying issues about values and learning that the student may be struggling with or in need of development. When things aren't working as expected, this can be leveraged into a learning opportunity for both the teacher and the student.
Understand that learning is living. It is a living process, and cannot be turned off, much like breathing. Students are always learning, they just may not be learning what you expect or hope them to learn. Every student has talent and is engaged in some type of learning in their lives. To help engage students in the classroom, make efforts to identify the brilliance in each individual's life and create avenues to bring it into the academic environment. This can expand into practices related to shifting the center of the learning environment and focusing on creating a space where each student feels belonging. As an educator, resist creating a predetermined learning environment, and instead focus on valuing the various individuals in the class to create a learning community.
Be an educator, not a disciplinarian. Kids don't always do what they're expected to do. They're kids! Kids don't always make the best decisions. They're learning how to make decisions! Kids make mistakes. They're human! Disciplining students often forces them into a box usually doesn't address the underlying issues about values and learning that the student may be struggling with or in need of development. When things aren't working as expected, this can be leveraged into a learning opportunity for both the teacher and the student.
