Act in your students best
interest: Always do what you believe is best for your students because
as are your number one priority. Whenever making a decision, ask yourself, "How does
this benefit my students?" If you cant come up with an answer, reconsider your
choice.
Build important
relationships: Focus on establishing meaningful, cooperative
relationship with everyone you encounter. Building strong relationships with your
students, peers, administrators, and parents will ultimately make your job
easier.
Be explicit about rules and
expectations: Clearly establish rules, expectations, and procedures on
the first day of school, then discuss and reference them often. Students cannot
be expected to be held accountable for their actions if they do not know how they
should behave. Be firm, fair, and consistent for a classroom that runs more
smoothly.
Be fair and consistent:
Your students watch for this and are quick to notice disparities. Do not
undermine your own authority and the relationships you have worked hard to build by
playing favorites or showing prejudice.
Be prepared: Take a
cue from the boy scouts and always be prepared! Preparation will not guarantee
success but lack of preparation makes it much less likely. Put in the time to engage
your students, craft effectual lessons, and provide useful feedback.
Learn every day:
Teaching is a journey that will provide you with many opportunities to learn but you
have to be open and willing to take them. You should strive to improve your teaching
each and every day, even when youve been in the classroom for years.
Leave your problems at the
door: Never bring your personal problems or issues into the
classroom—leave them at home. Your students should never know when something
in your personal life is bothering you.
Involve families:
Parents can make or break their childrens education, and as such, teachers must do
their part to engage even the most reluctant parents in the learning process.
Provide plenty of opportunities for parents and guardians to become involved
and feel welcomed into your classroom.
Protect your students:
Protect your students at all costs. It is your job to ensure that your
students are safe and secure at all times. Practice safety procedures frequently in
class and never allow students to engage in reckless behaviour. Discuss safe
behaviour outside of school too.
Protect yourself: A
teacher must never put themselves in a compromising situation that will bring harm
to their career or person. They should always be aware of their surroundings and
never allow themselves to be too vulnerable or have their reputation called into
question. Protect yourself from danger by maintaining self-control and staying alert
at all times.
Get along with administration:
Respect the decisions of administrators and understand that they have many
responsibilities. Teachers that have great working relationships with their
administrators enjoy a more relaxed and supportive work environment.
Get to know your students:
Take the time to find out what your students like to do and incorporate
their interests into your lessons. Establish a rapport and connection with them not
only to engage them in class but also to show that you care about them beyond their
performance in school.
Listen: Always be
willing to listen to others, especially your students. Use their feedback to improve
your practice. Responsive teachers take the time to learn from what others have to
say because they know that they are not perfect.
Assume responsibility for
mistakes: Own your faults and correct your mistakes—teachers are
not expected to know everything. Set a positive example for your students by calling
attention to your errors and showing them that mistakes help you learn.
Seek advice from other
teachers: Fellow teachers can be one of your greatest resources. Take
advantage of the experiences that others have had by working cooperatively, sharing
stories and materials whenever you can. You are not alone!
Be flexible: Be
willing to adapt and change. There is always going to be something new to try and
things to improve. Some of the best moments in teaching are born out of
spontaneity—embrace change rather than resist it.
Be encouraging: Be
your students’ biggest cheerleader. Never tell them that they cannot do
anything. Help them accomplish their goals by familiarizing yourself with their
specific needs and setting them on the path to success, nudging them gently back in
the right direction if they need it.
Never embarrass your
students: Never put down a student, especially not in front of their
peers. If you need to discipline or correct a student, do so privately and
thoughtfully. Your goal is to teach and guide them when they slip up, not make them
feel guilty or bad.
Have fun: Have fun!
Enjoy your work and your students will take notice and follow suit. Teaching can be
messy but it is better to embrace the chaos than take it too seriously.
Be involved in the lives of
your students: Go the extra mile when you can. The best teachers go
out of their way to attend student events such as sports and concerts to show their
support. These small actions mean a lot to your students.
Provide meaningful and
frequent feedback: Try not to fall behind in grading and recording and
dont take shortcuts. When this task feels overwhelming, remind yourself that timely
constructive feedback is worth the effort in the long run because students learn
most when you check in with them about their performance.
Stay up-to-date:
Always be aware of and adhere to local policies and procedures. If you are not sure
about something, it is better to ask than make assumptions and mistakes. You must
know and follow the rules of teaching just as you expect your students to know and
follow yours