How Can I Be an Effective Teacher from Day One?
This past year i have been interviewing future teachers for The New Teacher Project‘s Teaching Fellows programs. At the beginning of the interview, I always share a brief background on myself before diving in to the real questions. So many times the interviewee was inspired by something I said we end up chatting about that a bit more before moving on.
It never occurred to me that what I have learned over the last decade in the classroom would be inspiring; its almost common sense. In fact, I recently wrote a book (Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College) and one of the readers left feedback on the website saying it was common sense and you could find that information on the internet somewhere for free. Although this reader could be right about that, sometimes the greatest inventions are simple and full of common sense, but we just needed someone to point it out. That’s exactly what I intended to do with my book and through sharing my life lessons in teaching with my interviewees.
So what I tell these future teachers is this….
“I have been teaching for almost a decade now, attended numerous professional development sessions on effective teaching techniques, and even lead some myself. But, to be honest, there is something we can all do from day one to be effective and it isn’t fancy or complicated. In fact, you might laugh when I tell you what the secret it… make connections with kids.
I realized that the more time I spent with my kids outside of the classroom, whether it be at lunch, recess or in the hallway, the better teacher I became. I suddenly knew their interests and how to keep them engaged so I didn’t have to spend hours lesson planning at night. On the flip side of that, students started to come to class early, turn in assignments with extra credit attached, or help me run the classroom. They felt respected and valued because I invested in them as a person.
I wish someone had told me how valuable making connections could be in the classroom. Students started blossoming academically but also personally. I wish I had realized taking a moment out of a lesson plan to connect was time well spent, you know just crack a joke, or ask about the baseball game last night. When I did these things, my teaching changed for the better.
I used to think teaching was all about the lesson plan. Make it cool. Make it fun. Be THAT teacher that kids couldn’t wait to learn from. Well, without connections your super awesome lesson plan lands on deaf ears. When you have that foundation of a relationship, students surpass their potential because you are THAT teacher.”
So I share that insight with new teachers in hopes its somewhat helpful on their journey to become an effective educator. As I mentioned, its not rocket science but its something no one told me and so I want to be transparent with future teachers as my way to continue to give back to the profession I love so dearly.
What is one thing a new teacher can do from day one to be effective?
About the author, Gretchen
I am a teacher trainer and coach. Working elbow to elbow with teachers and teacher leaders to ensure instructional proficiency and student achievement soar lights me up. We have a real need in our nation for strong educators to remain in the field. My blog, book, podcast, courses and instructional materials are geared towards empowering teachers (and those that lead them) to receive the support needed to grow and thrive today, tomorrow and always.