As a school administrator, I have the privilege of being in multiple classrooms everyday. This is one of the great joys of being a principal. It is a joy because it affords me the opportunity to mingle with the students and observe teachers in their element.
Granted there are many classrooms that I do not make it into frequently. This is not that I don't enjoy going into those classes, but if I am walking down the hall and a door is open I will poke my head in. At that point I will walk around the room to see what the students are working on and often take a seat.
Sometimes I sit down in a classroom and don't want to leave. Either the topic is something I am interested in or the teacher is doing such a great job that I want to see more. Usually I will take a few notes on technique, pedagogy, classroom management, etc. Sometimes I get so lost in the lesson that I forget to make any notes. I am a bit of a nerd in that aspect. I enjoy spending time engaging with great teachers. Recently I sat in a classroom while a teacher masterfully kept the students engaged.
Here are two things that allowed this teacher to do this successfully.
Just to give you an example. This teacher noticed a student daydreaming and noticed it very quickly. He had a choice to make at that point. Let it go or address it. He chose to address it. He let this student know he cared by choosing to take care of the issue before the student missed out on instruction that was needed. He also chose to do it in a way that was respectful. Instead of saying something like "Pay attention!" or "Wake up!" he simply said "Bob, I noticed you starting to drift off. Come back to me, you need this." What is also great about the way it was handled is the tone. It wasn't rude or condescending, but it was a mixture of compassion and firmness. This is something that some people are born with and the rest of us have to work hard at.
This is where many new teachers struggle. They understand the importance of relationship. What they often don't understand is relationship does not me best friend. It does not mean letting the students do as they please. It means caring enough about the student that you will not let them slide into oblivion. It means not letting them get by with apathy, but sparking a love of learning in them. It means caring enough to push students beyond their comfort zone.
These are just a few things that help make good teachers great. What are some other things that you have noticed that push teachers from good to great?
Granted there are many classrooms that I do not make it into frequently. This is not that I don't enjoy going into those classes, but if I am walking down the hall and a door is open I will poke my head in. At that point I will walk around the room to see what the students are working on and often take a seat.
Sometimes I sit down in a classroom and don't want to leave. Either the topic is something I am interested in or the teacher is doing such a great job that I want to see more. Usually I will take a few notes on technique, pedagogy, classroom management, etc. Sometimes I get so lost in the lesson that I forget to make any notes. I am a bit of a nerd in that aspect. I enjoy spending time engaging with great teachers. Recently I sat in a classroom while a teacher masterfully kept the students engaged.
Here are two things that allowed this teacher to do this successfully.
- Relationship-This teacher had already established a relationship with the students. This teacher may be firm with the students, but they know he cares. He has established routines and procedures with the students already. He takes the time to get to know them and talks about their interests and activities. He takes the time to help them when they struggle with problems. Often when students are given time to work on "homework" there are several gathered in chairs around his desk in an impromptu tutoring session.
- Attention-He is fully aware of what is happening in his classroom. If anything is out of line, he quickly and respectfully addresses it. If he notices a student drifting off, he brings them back into the discussion. Not in a way that is condescending, but in a way that lets them know he is paying attention.
Just to give you an example. This teacher noticed a student daydreaming and noticed it very quickly. He had a choice to make at that point. Let it go or address it. He chose to address it. He let this student know he cared by choosing to take care of the issue before the student missed out on instruction that was needed. He also chose to do it in a way that was respectful. Instead of saying something like "Pay attention!" or "Wake up!" he simply said "Bob, I noticed you starting to drift off. Come back to me, you need this." What is also great about the way it was handled is the tone. It wasn't rude or condescending, but it was a mixture of compassion and firmness. This is something that some people are born with and the rest of us have to work hard at.
This is where many new teachers struggle. They understand the importance of relationship. What they often don't understand is relationship does not me best friend. It does not mean letting the students do as they please. It means caring enough about the student that you will not let them slide into oblivion. It means not letting them get by with apathy, but sparking a love of learning in them. It means caring enough to push students beyond their comfort zone.
These are just a few things that help make good teachers great. What are some other things that you have noticed that push teachers from good to great?
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