8+things+skilled+teachers+think,+say+and+do

Educational Leadership article
__//1. Remember that authoritative beats authoritarian.//__

- Completely agree! - "Do as I say, no questions asked" is simply treating kids with no respect whatsoever and is such a negative beginning to a relationship. Treat students with respect, explain why we have rules, why you're asking them to do something and they'll respect you for it!

I like to think I am authoritative 99% of the time in my teaching practice - I still need to remember to be fair to the kids and not act as the teacher that most of my past teachers were! I had authoritarian teachers around me my whole education, it was just how it was back then so I try my best to be the opposite. My favourite teacher was Mr. Hallett - I had him for 2 years in primary school and he was a true authoritative. I aspire to treat my students the way he treated me.

__//2. Believe that everyone can grow!//__

- Again, I completely agree! - See mistakes as an opportunity not a shortcoming. - Knowing your students helps you to see them as children with lives and experiences and feelings that can sometimes distract them and get in the way of their learning. Remember to always check why mistakes are being made and help them to improve, rather than expecting that child to never change.

I believe that all children can grow! I will never stop believing that - how could you when you see kids just 'click' everyday! I began my position at this school devastated by the sportsmanship in the yard and in my PE lessons - I'm just ending my second year here and marvel at the genuine sportsmanship I see in every class I teach! Even with some of the children coming from homes where Dad sits in front of the TV screaming profanity at his footy team or Mum who yells at the referee at basketball every weekend, have still made improvements because they are their own person! Their choices are not mimicking that of their families, they are making their own choices and becoming the people they respect - their teachers.

__//3. Understand that power isn't a finite pie.//__

- Share the power with the kids and the 'pie' will grow! Sharing power provides more opportunities! - Give students a choice about what pencil they can write with, what paper they can write on, what they study for their assignment, etc. Giving power to students open up a whole myriad of opportunities.

I try to hard to practice 'gradual release of responsibility'. I think it's something that is scary and tough for teachers because we've never seen it or been a part of it! But I believe that it will work! I would like for this to be a goal of mine next year as a new teacher.

__//4. Give positive messages.//__

- Positive framing = "if you do this, these good things will happen" rather than the opposite. I think that Oliver is the best at this! He is a wonderfully positive teacher and I strive to be like that next year! I don't think I'm particularly negative but I would like to see a glass half full all of the time instead of reverting to the negative - which is SO easy to do!

- Say yes = "Yes you can go to the toilet in about 5 minutes once we've finished our discussion". Agree that students need to hear positive messages BUT if you've got a kid who goes to the toilet to get out of things they need to hear "no"... I'm a bit on the fence with this one. I think that children are quite sheltered these days - resilience is very low at our school and hearing "yes" all of the time isn't going to improve that...

- Say please and thank you = self explanatory. I always use my manners whether I'm talking to my Nan or my Prep student - because I respect all of the people in my life and I will treat them as such.

__//5. Apologize.//__

- Everyone makes mistakes and if you've made one apologize for it. The kids needs to see that you are able to own up to a mistake and own, especially for those very common situations where you expect them to!

__//6. Be flexible.//__

- If you are a 'set in your ways' kind of a person DON'T BECOME A TEACHER!!!!! Being flexible is one of the most important things in this job - I'd have had a melt down if I wasn't flexible and I've only been in the job for a year and a half! - Always have time for your students even if you've planned for your conference or what you're doing in your APT - they are the reason we're all in this career so make them and their worries priority!

__//7. Set the right climate.//__

- Ensure your room is neat and clean, a comfortable temperature, that you're providing engaging lessons, a fair treatment policy and that you're caring! Simple things to set the tone of your room will demonstrate the kind of people you expect your students to be.

__//8. Teach life lessons.//__

- We have already started teaching social skills every week; something we really needed to begin doing at this school to improve out-in-the yard behaviour, accepting awards, speaking and listening, and just general politeness. - This is also one of my goals for next year, to create a super supportive environment where the kids feel so safe together and with me that they can take risks and learn skills for life.

Reading this article has made me realise - at the end of the year when even the smallest things are just too hard to handle - that I am a good teacher. In fact, I am a skilled teacher. I am reading this in preparation for my first year in a classroom and it's made me feel good!