1. Quality Learning
One of the goals of effective teachers is quality learning. It’s true that we’re bound to teach the syllabus and we make exams to decide if students can advance to the next grade or not. Yet, this should not be our ultimate goal in teaching.
Effective teachers aim further than that. They have a long term vision where quality learning is emphasized. That learning goes beyond the notion of passing to honing the necessary skills to thrive in today’s world.
Supporting students to think critically, solve problems, communicate and create are what every teacher needs to aim at, no matter what content or learning outcomes he is expected to meet. Besides, effective teachers perceive students as individuals who will contribute to the economic growth and social welfare of their nation. So, their intent is also to develop those interpersonal skills which are much in demand in the world of work such as collaboration, positivity, self-confidence, work ethic, showing appreciation, etc. You may think: “That’s easier said than done”! Even if you want to do that time remains an issue.
Let me tell you If you keep on thinking about teaching for exams, giving students EVERYTHING, and grading every single assignment you give, you’ll never devote a space for that kind of goal. In such a case, quality learning would seem for you hard to integrate, or even unnecessary to attain. But, when your goal is quality learning rather than getting an A you will think and find ways to make students learn what is more relevant to their own future needs.
2. The Whole Community
The classroom remains the place where we spend most of the time with students. Yet, our students are not the only people to connect with. Whatever context we’re concerned with: school, college, institution, etc, our colleagues and the administration constitute a community. That community grows through empathy, communication and collaboration. Effective teachers are not alien to their schools. Rather, they feel a sense of belonging. They collaborate and work for the benefit of the whole community and aim always to bring a positive change. So, if we think that being active within this community would serve nothing and that our energy, knowledge and skills should be preserved for our students, we will not be EFFECTIVE. The power of co-working is tremendous. When we collaborate with others, we share and learn from each other and come up with something more relevant.
It is our concern and commitment to benefit all those community members which make us more effective teachers. So, ask yourself: How can you benefit your school? Think about real-life projects that would serve your school, new ideas and tools that can improve communication with students and parents, enhance digital citizenship, etc. Involve all students and encourage them to collaborate with each other. Communicate regularly with your colleagues, share your ideas, listen, set goals and plan for things together to make your school more SPECIAL.
3. Expertise
Developing expertise is another goal of effective teachers. In this concern, experience alone does not suffice but it’s learning through experience which does matter. Such kind of learning is the outcome of teacher’s innovation, ongoing reflection on and in-actions, evaluation and decisions to improve further. Stop thinking that there is no use of learning. You’ve got your diploma or teaching certificate and you know how to do things in the classroom. Learning is limitless and it has become more necessary in this ever increasingly changing world. If you stick with routine and deprive your mind of thinking and innovating, you’ll get overwhelmed and burn out. So, grab a pen and paper and think about: 1) what do you need to learn to make your teaching more effective?, 2) how would that learning add to your teaching ?, and 4) How would your students benefit from it?
Read, connect to teachers, attend PD programmes and update yourself with more relevant teaching ideas, resources and tools.
While engaging in such learning opportunities keep on thinking about your students, their needs, and interests. Also, think about yourself, the issues you’re facing and how you can apply that learning into your context. Never doubt your potential in putting into practice what you have learned. Your innovation can be invaluable. So, go for it, learn from others’ feedback and reflect to streamline.
4. Well-Being
Effective teachers aim to create the necessary work-life balance. Because they know that this contributes to their well-being, making them more energized and productive. So, they invest time in themselves and their family and don’t regret doing so.
For those teachers, time management is the core concern. They value planning for their actions, commit themselves to organization and try to make their life simple and more meaningful.So, if you want to thrive and not just survive in your profession, admire more your job and enjoy the moments you spend with your students aim at your well-being.Set a line between your professional and personal life and do not live one at the expense of the other. Do not let your professional life ruin your relationship with others and even your relationship with yourself.
One of the goals of effective teachers is quality learning. It’s true that we’re bound to teach the syllabus and we make exams to decide if students can advance to the next grade or not. Yet, this should not be our ultimate goal in teaching.
Effective teachers aim further than that. They have a long term vision where quality learning is emphasized. That learning goes beyond the notion of passing to honing the necessary skills to thrive in today’s world.
Supporting students to think critically, solve problems, communicate and create are what every teacher needs to aim at, no matter what content or learning outcomes he is expected to meet. Besides, effective teachers perceive students as individuals who will contribute to the economic growth and social welfare of their nation. So, their intent is also to develop those interpersonal skills which are much in demand in the world of work such as collaboration, positivity, self-confidence, work ethic, showing appreciation, etc. You may think: “That’s easier said than done”! Even if you want to do that time remains an issue.
Let me tell you If you keep on thinking about teaching for exams, giving students EVERYTHING, and grading every single assignment you give, you’ll never devote a space for that kind of goal. In such a case, quality learning would seem for you hard to integrate, or even unnecessary to attain. But, when your goal is quality learning rather than getting an A you will think and find ways to make students learn what is more relevant to their own future needs.
2. The Whole Community
The classroom remains the place where we spend most of the time with students. Yet, our students are not the only people to connect with. Whatever context we’re concerned with: school, college, institution, etc, our colleagues and the administration constitute a community. That community grows through empathy, communication and collaboration. Effective teachers are not alien to their schools. Rather, they feel a sense of belonging. They collaborate and work for the benefit of the whole community and aim always to bring a positive change. So, if we think that being active within this community would serve nothing and that our energy, knowledge and skills should be preserved for our students, we will not be EFFECTIVE. The power of co-working is tremendous. When we collaborate with others, we share and learn from each other and come up with something more relevant.
It is our concern and commitment to benefit all those community members which make us more effective teachers. So, ask yourself: How can you benefit your school? Think about real-life projects that would serve your school, new ideas and tools that can improve communication with students and parents, enhance digital citizenship, etc. Involve all students and encourage them to collaborate with each other. Communicate regularly with your colleagues, share your ideas, listen, set goals and plan for things together to make your school more SPECIAL.
3. Expertise
Developing expertise is another goal of effective teachers. In this concern, experience alone does not suffice but it’s learning through experience which does matter. Such kind of learning is the outcome of teacher’s innovation, ongoing reflection on and in-actions, evaluation and decisions to improve further. Stop thinking that there is no use of learning. You’ve got your diploma or teaching certificate and you know how to do things in the classroom. Learning is limitless and it has become more necessary in this ever increasingly changing world. If you stick with routine and deprive your mind of thinking and innovating, you’ll get overwhelmed and burn out. So, grab a pen and paper and think about: 1) what do you need to learn to make your teaching more effective?, 2) how would that learning add to your teaching ?, and 4) How would your students benefit from it?
Read, connect to teachers, attend PD programmes and update yourself with more relevant teaching ideas, resources and tools.
While engaging in such learning opportunities keep on thinking about your students, their needs, and interests. Also, think about yourself, the issues you’re facing and how you can apply that learning into your context. Never doubt your potential in putting into practice what you have learned. Your innovation can be invaluable. So, go for it, learn from others’ feedback and reflect to streamline.
4. Well-Being
Effective teachers aim to create the necessary work-life balance. Because they know that this contributes to their well-being, making them more energized and productive. So, they invest time in themselves and their family and don’t regret doing so.
For those teachers, time management is the core concern. They value planning for their actions, commit themselves to organization and try to make their life simple and more meaningful.So, if you want to thrive and not just survive in your profession, admire more your job and enjoy the moments you spend with your students aim at your well-being.Set a line between your professional and personal life and do not live one at the expense of the other. Do not let your professional life ruin your relationship with others and even your relationship with yourself.