Take It to the Next Level: Challenging Yourself to Be a Great Teacher

by Melony Brown

The profession of teaching is the foundation of every society. Every well-trained doctor, great scientist, amazing artist, effective leader, or any professional for that matter began their lives at the foot of a teacher. Teaching is the greatest profession of all. With that in mind, remember you have been given an awesome responsibility. Don’t take it lightly. Remember, teachers are incredible influencers, both positive and negative, to the students under their care.

How can you take your teaching abilities to the next level?

1. Once you have your diploma and teaching credentials in hand, don’t stop learning. The most effective teachers become life-long learners. No, this doesn’t mean you have to go to school for the rest of your life. Instead, it means you continue to develop your teaching skills by hanging out with other teachers. Ask questions. Visit their classrooms when they are teaching a lesson. Discover the newest teaching methods by participating in workshops. Study your subject area in a more in-depth manner. Take a class at the community center that has nothing to do with teaching and share it with your classes. If your students see you value learning, they will too.
2. Learn about technology. Technology changes daily. The technology companies offer new and better gadgets and programs frequently. Your students keep up with this information, and you need to as well. Technology must be used in the classroom as this is the language this generation speaks. Incorporate podcasts, Facebook, and YouTube videos into your lessons. Text your students to remind them of an upcoming test or to check in with them. The more you learn about technology, the greater chance you have of reaching your students effectively.
3. Invest yourself in your students. Don’t spill all of your baggage, but do tell them about yourself. If you hang glide during the summer breaks, share one of your adventures. If you do magic tricks, surprise them during the middle of a lesson with a disappearing math book. If you visited the latest exhibit at the art museum this weekend, tell them what your favorite painting was and why you liked it. On the opposite side of the coin, you need to ask your students about the ways they spend their time. If you know a student visited a sick grandparent over the Thanksgiving break, ask him or her how their grandparent is feeling. If you are able, attend one of their games or performances and congratulate them when it is over. Show interest in their interests. It will create a bond that causes the students to be more receptive to what you are teaching.
4. Teachers can easily get in a rut with the manner in which they teach. If you are an auditory learner, you might find yourself lecturing often. While this might reach some students, many have literally tuned you out. Challenge yourself to learn about the various learning styles. The media and technology your students engage in delivers information in short, colorful bytes. Use the media and technology they love because it will stick in their minds better than a worksheet over the material. Additionally, research suggests your students can only focus for short periods of time because of the way the media and technology has trained them. Therefore, you will need to vary the length of your lessons and add short breaks in between.
5. Teaching is a demanding profession. Many of your friends and family will insist you “have it made” with the shorter work days and numerous breaks. However, they would quickly change their minds after spending a week in your shoes. Therefore, you need to find several outlets in which you can decompress your emotions and rejuvenate your mind and body. To be your best for your students, you must take care of yourself. They need you.

There is always room for growth in any profession, but challenging yourself to become a great teacher has long-term effects on each and every one of your students. Who knows? One of those students might become the next president. Or the scientist who finds the cure for cancer. Or chooses to become a teacher because of your positive influence.