A teacher must never cease to learn.
I strongly believe that teachers must always be open to learning. They must never cease to learn new strategies and techniques to improve their teaching. Even teachers who have been in the field for decades should strive to learn new techniques and improve on old ones for the good of their students. They can learn from other teachers whether it is collaboration with other teachers on their grade level team, teachers in the district, or teachers communicating from miles away online. It is critical that teachers take the initiative to read new texts and attend workshops. Probably most importantly, teachers must learn from their students, both their successes and failures. As times are constantly changing, it is imperative that teachers be flexible and open to new learning. This allows for amazing new technology such as Smartboard to be integrated in the classroom as well as new management and assessment strategies. Learning for a teacher means striving to provide the best for his or her students. If prospective teachers are to learn how to help their students learn, they must be immersed in similar learning experiences just as their students will encounter. When teachers show that they are lifelong learners, it serves as an example to his or her students. Enthusiasm for learning is contagious.
Classroom instruction must be centrally student-focused.
Students must be able to inquire, explore, test, and manipulate. Meaningful learning occurs when students are allowed to confront real problems and make choices. They should learn in a hands-on way in order to be fully engaged. Hands-on activity not only enhances memory of the content but allows students to be creative, inventive, and problem solvers. These are all skills that are crucial to lifelong learning beyond the classroom. With this in mind, all kinds of learners must be appealed to. Therefore, differentiated instruction is imperative. It is important to provide students assignments that are appropriate and challenging for their level but never discouraging. As instruction is student focused, lessons, assignments, and assessments must be tailored to their individualized needs.
Teachers must provide a supportive environment that cultivates student independence, self-confidence, and a positive self-esteem.
Teachers must foster a comfortable classroom environment where students can share ideas, collaborate, grow, and essentially, learn best. It is without question that in addition to academics, in the elementary grades, students learn social skills that they then use for life. They learn how to treat others, resolve problems, make friends, voice their opinions and feelings, and persist during challenges. I find that Responsive Classroom strategies and activities promote these life skills and relationships. A good teacher will be a friend to his or her students to foster trust and positive self-esteem. This friendship is not to be confused with acting as the students’ “buddy” or “peer”. As their friend, it is imperative that teachers show their students compassion and encouragement. This is something that should never be lost in the shuffle of papers and packed curriculum.
I strongly believe that teachers must always be open to learning. They must never cease to learn new strategies and techniques to improve their teaching. Even teachers who have been in the field for decades should strive to learn new techniques and improve on old ones for the good of their students. They can learn from other teachers whether it is collaboration with other teachers on their grade level team, teachers in the district, or teachers communicating from miles away online. It is critical that teachers take the initiative to read new texts and attend workshops. Probably most importantly, teachers must learn from their students, both their successes and failures. As times are constantly changing, it is imperative that teachers be flexible and open to new learning. This allows for amazing new technology such as Smartboard to be integrated in the classroom as well as new management and assessment strategies. Learning for a teacher means striving to provide the best for his or her students. If prospective teachers are to learn how to help their students learn, they must be immersed in similar learning experiences just as their students will encounter. When teachers show that they are lifelong learners, it serves as an example to his or her students. Enthusiasm for learning is contagious.
Classroom instruction must be centrally student-focused.
Students must be able to inquire, explore, test, and manipulate. Meaningful learning occurs when students are allowed to confront real problems and make choices. They should learn in a hands-on way in order to be fully engaged. Hands-on activity not only enhances memory of the content but allows students to be creative, inventive, and problem solvers. These are all skills that are crucial to lifelong learning beyond the classroom. With this in mind, all kinds of learners must be appealed to. Therefore, differentiated instruction is imperative. It is important to provide students assignments that are appropriate and challenging for their level but never discouraging. As instruction is student focused, lessons, assignments, and assessments must be tailored to their individualized needs.
Teachers must provide a supportive environment that cultivates student independence, self-confidence, and a positive self-esteem.
Teachers must foster a comfortable classroom environment where students can share ideas, collaborate, grow, and essentially, learn best. It is without question that in addition to academics, in the elementary grades, students learn social skills that they then use for life. They learn how to treat others, resolve problems, make friends, voice their opinions and feelings, and persist during challenges. I find that Responsive Classroom strategies and activities promote these life skills and relationships. A good teacher will be a friend to his or her students to foster trust and positive self-esteem. This friendship is not to be confused with acting as the students’ “buddy” or “peer”. As their friend, it is imperative that teachers show their students compassion and encouragement. This is something that should never be lost in the shuffle of papers and packed curriculum.