I
really appreciate teachers who are truly passionate about teaching. The
teacher who wants to be an inspiration to others. The teacher who is
happy with his/her job at all times. The teacher who every child in the
school would love to have. The teacher kids remember for the rest of
their lives. Are you that teacher? Read on and learn 11 effective habits
of an effective teacher.
Teaching
is meant to be a very enjoyable and rewarding career field (although
demanding and exhausting at times!). You should only become a teacher if
you love children and intend on caring for them with your heart. You
cannot expect the kids to have fun if you are not having fun with them!
If you only read the instructions out of a textbook, it's ineffective.
Instead, make your lessons come alive by making it as interactive and
engaging as possible. Let your passion for teaching shine through each
and everyday. Enjoy every teaching moment to the fullest.
2. MAKES A DIFFERENCE
There
is a saying, "With great power, comes great responsibility". As a
teacher, you need to be aware and remember the great responsibility that
comes with your profession. One of your goals ought to be: Make a
difference in their lives. How? Make them feel special, safe and secure
when they are in your classroom. Be the positive influence in their
lives. Why? You never know what your students went through before
entering your classroom on a particular day or what conditions they are
going home to after your class. So, just in case they are not getting
enough support from home, at least you will make a difference and
provide that to them.
3. SPREADS POSITIVITY.
Bring
positive energy into the classroom every single day. You have a
beautiful smile so don't forget to flash it as much as possible
throughout the day. I know that you face battles of your own in your
personal life but once you enter that classroom, you should leave all of
it behind before you step foot in the door. Your students deserve more
than for you to take your frustration out on them. No matter how you are
feeling, how much sleep you've gotten or how frustrated you are, never
let that show. Even if you are having a bad day, learn to put on a mask
in front of the students and let them think of you as a superhero (it
will make your day too)! Be someone who is always positive, happy and
smiling. Always remember that positive energy is contagious and it is up
to you to spread it. Don't let other people's negativity bring you down
with them.
4. GETS PERSONAL
This
is the fun part and absolutely important for being an effective
teacher! Get to know your students and their interests so that you can
find ways to connect with them. Don't forget to also tell them about
yours! Also, it is important to get to know their learning styles so
that you can cater to each of them as an individual. In addition, make
an effort to get to know their parents as well. Speaking to the parents
should not be looked at as an obligation but rather, an honour. In the
beginning of the school year, make it known that they can come to you
about anything at anytime of the year. In addition, try to get to know
your colleagues on a personal level as well. You will be much happier if
you can find a strong support network in and outside of school.
5. GIVES 100%
Whether
you are delivering a lesson, writing report cards or offering support
to a colleague - give 100%. Do your job for the love of teaching and not
because you feel obligated to do it. Do it for self-growth. Do it to
inspire others. Do it so that your students will get the most out of
what you are teaching them. Give 100% for yourself, students, parents,
school and everyone who believes in you. Never give up and try your best
- that's all that you can do. (That's what I tell the kids anyway!)
6. STAYS ORGANIZED
Never
fall behind on the marking or filing of students' work. Try your best
to be on top of it and not let the pile grow past your head! It will
save you a lot of time in the long run. It is also important to keep an
organized planner and plan ahead! The likelihood of last minute lesson
plans being effective are slim. Lastly, keep a journal handy and jot
down your ideas as soon as an inspired idea forms in your mind. Then,
make a plan to put those ideas in action.
7. IS OPEN-MINDED
As
a teacher, there are going to be times where you will be observed
formally or informally (that's also why you should give 100% at all
times). You are constantly being evaluated and criticized by your boss,
teachers, parents and even children. Instead of feeling bitter when
somebody has something to say about your teaching, be open-minded when
receiving constructive criticism and form a plan of action. Prove that
you are the effective teacher that you want to be. Nobody is perfect and
there is always room for improvement. Sometimes, others see what you
fail to see.
8. HAS STANDARDS
Create
standards for your students and for yourself. From the beginning, make
sure that they know what is acceptable versus what isn't. For example,
remind the students how you would like work to be completed. Are you the
teacher who wants your students to try their best and hand in their
best and neatest work? Or are you the teacher who couldn't care less?
Now remember, you can only expect a lot if you give a lot. As the saying
goes, "Practice what you preach".
9. FINDS INSPIRATION
An
effective teacher is one who is creative but that doesn't mean that you
have to create everything from scratch! Find inspiration from as many
sources as you can. Whether it comes from books, education, Pinterest,
YouTube, Facebook, blogs, TpT or what have you, keep finding it!
10. EMBRACES CHANGE
In
life, things don't always go according to plan. This is particularly
true when it comes to teaching. Be flexible and go with the flow when
change occurs. An effective teacher does not complain about changes when
a new principal arrives. They do not feel the need to mention how good
they had it at their last school or with their last group of students
compared to their current circumstances. Instead of stressing about
change, embrace it with both hands and show that you are capable of
hitting every curve ball that comes your way!
11. CREATES REFLECTIONS
An
effective teacher reflects on their teaching to evolve as a teacher.
Think about what went well and what you would do differently next time.
You need to remember that we all have "failed" lessons from time to
time. Instead of looking at it as a failure, think about it as a lesson
and learn from it. As teachers, your education and learning is ongoing.
There is always more to learn and know about in order to strengthen your
teaching skills. Keep reflecting on your work and educating yourself on
what you find are your "weaknesses" as we all have them! The most
important part is recognizing them and being able to work on them to
improve your teaching skills.
There
are, indeed, several other habits that make an effective teacher but
these are the ones that I find most important. Many other character
traits can be tied into these ones as well.
LAST
WORD: There is always something positive to be found in every situation
but it is up to you to find it. Keep your head up and teach happily for
the love of education!
