Teaching The Teachers

Here within is a short but potent examination of what makes a great teacher. The critical importance in this is not just knowing how to teach but also knowing why you are teaching and how to command respect as a leader.

Why & How

Motivations, assumptions and methods.

Motivation

In it for itself or in it for something else?

The most important thing to do as a teacher must be done before you become one to begin with. Ask yourself: What is my motivation here? Be honest with yourself because if you end up teaching for the wrong reasons, you will not achieve them, plain and simple. This does not always mean that your motivation should be to want students to learn, some of the best teachers are those who teach in order to learn themselves. The right reasons could be any number of things, but as long as they involve learning, you are good to go. Any other motivation will waste everyone’s time and effort which could drastically impact their future in a negative way- so ask yourself: do I really want to be responsible for that?

Assumptions

Do you know all or do you know nothing?

Never assume you know what kind of life a student has. Always keeping in mind that you are completely unaware of their past, their current state of mind and of their future intentions is extremely important; it will impact the way you treat your students and the way you react to situations. Not to do this means potential for major liabilities and unfortunate outcomes. Always stay wise.

Method

Do they understand or do they memorize?

A lot of teachers unknowingly force their students to memorize, in large part due to the constraints of the educational system. The utility of the information aside, most of what needs to be learned is an understanding rather than raw memorization. This means it is up to you to make sure your method of teaching maximizes your students’ ability to understand. A big part of this is to inspire in them the desire to want to understand first. Otherwise, even if they don’t understand, it will not stay for very long.

Respect

Relate, Excite, Serve, Provide, Evolve, Create and Take.

Relate to your students

Do not be the kind of teacher that establishes the most common dynamic in the classroom: the “teacher/student” dynamic. A student must be able to relate to you the teacher, as a human being first- otherwise why learn from you? Most of what can be taught by a teacher can be learned online, at the library or by practical experience- therefore the only thing you bring to the table is your humanity. Use it. Share some of your personal life and get to know theirs appropriately.

Excite their imagination

Remind them why they are there but also further their reason for being there. What use is there to be learning what you are teaching them? WHY? This question must be clear and answered every single class- “You are learning this because…”, “With this knowledge you will be able to…”, “One day you could…” and so on. They must be able to imagine a future that excites them, and you must help paint the picture with them.

Serve their needs

This means you must pay attention to both the group and the individual; what are the different needs per student? What are they missing to be able to work together? Do they have materials? Do they have freedom? Do they have information? Do they have access to you? Serve all needs, physical and abstract, even if it is sometimes irrelevant to the course.

Provide a framework

Most teachers make the mistake of misunderstanding their authority- they do not know their role as leader and so in turn, the students do not know either. Play too hard or too nice and you have discipline issues, so don’t cycle between dealing out punishments and rewards; create a system in which they enact their own consequences. Small example: Some students come late to class. Next period give instructions for an activity and say nothing. When they inevitably ask questions due to what they missed, tell them it has already been covered and give them a lesser task. Build a flexible but firm framework like this and you will never struggle.

Evolve them

Give your students responsibilities that transcend their position. This shows them that they have value and potential. The best way to learn is to either experience or teach a given topic, therefore give each student either some authority, risk, responsibility or stakes to live for, and they will evolve- not only as your student but as a person too.

Create everything

The lesson plans, their content and the methods you use should all be created by you, for you. Past the information itself, there really is no need to follow a structure which was created without any information as to who you and your students are. This is more work but this is what makes the difference between a good and a great teacher. Whenever possible, let the students create some of what they should and/or want to learn.

Take responsibility

You are not telling students what they need to learn, you are guiding them through it. However that process happens, there will inevitably be situations you have to deal with and others where you are mistaken. Whatever happens in your classroom and with your students, it is important to take responsibility for- If you made a bad decision or made a mistake of any kind, be sure to admit them openly to your students and correct them. Students know and remember if you lie, omit or fail to rectify such things.

Notice how everything above is all work that you alone must do. Nowhere does it say that students will or should naturally respect you as their teacher. R-E-S-P-E-C-T is only ever earned, and so if you work for your students’ respect they will work for yours.

After Thought

Education ultimately comes down to the meaning of life itself: it is the manifestation of thoughts, emotions, desires and goals- it is purpose. This is perhaps why teachers must play the role of a parent, a friend, a boss, a colleague, a mentor and a student, all at once. What good is it to teach if one does not realize this and then go on to put in their utmost effort to be great? Anything else steps outside of the definition of “teaching”, therefore one must do their best or do nothing at all.

James Sirois

-This is what came out.