As humans we all have those days when we just don’t want to do anything. You know those mornings when you oversleep, you can’t find the outfit you want to wear, and you run into traffic on the way to work. We all have these moments, and that’s okay. The important thing for educators to remember is that in spite of things not going your way sometimes, your presence is so important to your students.
I know it’s hard but as educators, when we step foot on campus we have to remember why we are there. We have to push our personal issues to the side and focus on the task at hand, educating our students. It’s not easy but it’s necessary.
Everyday that a student is in a classroom is a day for educators to help propel them to who they can become. Each element in your classroom works together to form the educational experience of your students. It all begins with teacher preparation.
Lesson planning is essential for your success. You must have a clear direction on where you’re going, experiences for your students, and a desired outcome. Even if things don’t go according to schedule, you will still have a way to track where you are and what still needs to be done.
Are your classroom procedures and expectations clear to your students? Do students know what is expected of them when they enter your classroom? If they were absent, do they know where to look or what to do to find needed information? Do students know what is expected of them behaviorally?
The way you greet students as they come into your classroom helps set the tone for learning. Are you genuinely excited to see your students? Are you able to gauge when something is off with one of your students?
How are your relationships with your students? Ideally you are able to engage in conversations with students about their life away from school. What are they interested in? What struggles do they have at home? Having a good relationship with your students helps you to be able to deliver instruction and also helps with your classroom management.
This is not an exhaustive list, but rather a few things to ponder. We as educators make can make a positive or negative impact on the lives of our students. I would hope that teachers would want to make a positive impact. If not, that’s a completely different conversation.
In my work now as an administrator, I have a completely different outlook on the inner workings of a school. I do the best that I can to bring a positive attitude and outlook everyday. I am intentional with every interaction with students, staff, and parents. I strive to be a resource for teachers.
If there is a resource that teachers need, I try to find it. If there is a tweak that a teacher can make to be more effective, I share my thoughts with them. Everyday, every conversation, every interaction, is an opportunity to improve someone’s educational experience. I do not take any of it for granted.
My Life In Education… 