Six Thoughts on Becoming a More Effective Teacher

Every so often I am asked by former high school students pursuing college degrees in education about my thoughts on being an effective teacher. While I do not consider myself the authority on the subject by any means, I do believe strongly in these six thoughts.

Invest in Yourself

“The first and best victory is to conquer self.” – Plato

“Work harder on yourself than you do on your job.” – Jim Rohn

The most important factor in determining whether a child learns in your classroom is YOU. Amid papers to correct, lessons to plan, emails to answer, calls to make, meetings to attend, and any number of other details which to tend, you must remember that it is your long-term growth and happiness that must be the priority.

The give and take of your personal and professional life is like making deposits and withdrawals at a bank: the “Bank of You.” Reading books, articles, and blogs that inspire, motivate and inform are deposits into your bank. Exercise and eating well are deposits. Creating strong relationships with peers are deposits. Attending conferences and seminars are deposits.

The benefit to a teacher from any of these deposits is interest paid. Interest comes in many forms: improved mental and physical health, increased student performance, easier relationship building with students, parents and administrators, invitations to mentoring and/or leadership roles within the profession, and many more.

There is give and take in any profession, however, and teaching is no different. All of the inevitable distractions, the rough days, the time away from family, and the stress of the job make withdrawals from the Bank of You. Your goal is to have enough saved up in the Bank to buffer against these difficulties. If you don't, you'll soon be living on borrowed time.

Observe Great Teaching and Have Great Teachers Observe You

It seems human nature to adapt and conform to our surroundings. On the golf course, I always play better when I'm in a group with great golfers. Whenever I attend professional golf events I am struck with the urge to get back to my home course and play. I am inspired by watching great performances. When I observe great teaching first-hand, the same thing occurs. I am rejuvenated and excited to get back to my own classroom!

We are easily influenced by our circle of friends and colleagues: whoever we spend time with tend to shape who we are. Within your school are many outstanding teachers, and it's easy to figure out who. Spend time with them. Watch them work. Ask them questions. Allow them to come into your classroom and don't be afraid of what they might have to say. Be inspired, and your students will benefit.

Seek Opportunities to Serve

Sometimes when the going gets tough, we build a “comfort cocoon” around ourselves. Our thinking turns to “I” and “me” rather than “we” and “us.” We wallow in pity parties of our own design and feel alone. Before that happens, volunteer for school committees or become an activity sponsor. Find ways to take the initiative in your environment and help make it better. In doing so, you invest in opportunities that put “we” and “us” front and center in your mind and create meaningful relationships that will help you through the tough times. If you want to be a great teacher, motivator, communicator, and/or leader, you can't do it alone. You will get everything you want in your life and career if you give others what they want.

Strive for Balance in Your Classroom

“Teaching is about the intersection between relationships, curiosity and content.” 

– Dr. Kwame Brown

Content is king in education. The almighty test controls much of what goes on in the classroom. However, I firmly believe that our primary job as teachers is to build people, and it must be done within the context of our curriculum. This is the joining of the “what” (curriculum) to the “how” (process and example) to get to the “why” (inspiring young minds.)

Very few teachers that went to college to receive a degree education simply wish to program young minds with facts and figures. Any computer can do that these days. Our role is to maintain our focus on why we are called to teach and why our presence matters to students.

Take Time for Reflection

There is tangible benefit to writing in a journal. When you put your thoughts on paper, they become more concrete. You may even see them more objectively. When you browse back in your notes, you can see how your thinking has changed, evolved. Journaling is another way to make a deposit into the Bank of You. There are myriad articles about journaling's benefit, and many techniques to get it done. I encourage you to do your research.

Sitting down and visiting with a trusted friend and/or colleague can be a valuable reflection exercise, too. I look forward to opportunities to talk to friends in my profession. Nearly all the time, I come away from those chats with a fresh perspective, reminded that my concerns and my frustrations, as well as my hopes and victories are a part of a larger, shared experience.

The “Annie Principle:”

“When I'm stuck with a day that's gray and lonely, I just stick out my chin and grin and say: 

'The sun will come out tomorrow...'”

Teaching is tough. Not every day will go as planned. But the good news is that for the foreseeable future, the sun will indeed rise tomorrow, and another opportunity to be better awaits you. When all else fails, and regardless of the circumstances that may have made today difficult, there are young people in your sphere of influence that want precisely what you have to offer.