As a passionate teacher your whole career involves providing the best education to all learners the best way that you can.
The best way of doing so is by becoming the best teacher. This article has six tips on ways of improving your teaching and becoming the best teacher.
1Look after Yourself
Your students rely on you to stay healthy. Make time to relax, decompress, and care for yourself so that you can stay healthy, happy, and on top of your game. Neglecting yourself will only make you sick, and it may even lead to burnout. Don't let this happen—teacher involvement is essential.
2Be Wary of Self-Reflection
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You may have kept a self-reflection journal in college, but self-reflection is an important tool for continuous self-improvement even if you don't write it down. Spend a few minutes at the end of each day reflecting on what went well, what didn't, and what you would do differently in the future.
3Emphasize the Positive
The Affective filter is a serious problem. When your students are less stressed and believe they have a chance at success, they will perform better. Make a point of praising students for good behavior, hard work, and academic success. Praise more than you correct—ideally, a 5:1 positivity ratio.
4Seek Assistance
To say the least, teachers' lives are hectic. You can get buried in work between grading assignments, meetings, and maintaining a personal life.
Request assistance, hire a TA, or have students complete more tasks on their own. It is acceptable to seek assistance with minor tasks in order to devote more time and attention to more important matters.
Furthermore, never undervalue the importance of a personal learning network.
5Return to School
Your education will have a direct impact on the education of your students. Consider returning to school for an online master's degree in gifted education, or broadening your license by certifying in another subject or obtaining new micro-credentials.
6Study a Foreign Language
You most likely have more than one student who speaks another language at home. Learn a second language using a free online program like duolingo.com so you can empathize with students learning English as a second language.
It takes time to become a better teacher, but these six steps can help you get there. They may appear simple, but they will keep you grounded and engaged.
