People who possess the discipline and bravery necessary for self-reflection and self-improvement tend to be the best performers in pretty much any field, including the teaching profession. And, while teachers might continue to work hard at their jobs and improve their knowledge and skills through hands-on experience, it’s essential for them to regularly consider ways in which they can improve their abilities and get better at their chosen line of work.
The teaching profession is often both an art and a science; as a result, refining your techniques and skills as a teacher will usually require a lot of careful self-examination, along with being committed to doing those things that help you grow and improve yourself. There are several things that teachers can do to improve their performance and get better at their chosen career. Here are a few techniques that you might want to try.
#1. Invest in Further Education:
There’s never been a better time than the present when it comes to embarking on further educational challenges for teachers. And, learning isn’t just something for your students – all the best teachers will tell you that a lifelong commitment to learning as much as they can is one of the main reasons why they are so good at what they do.
As a teacher, constantly learning allows you to be a more effective educator to your students; not only are you setting a good example to them, but also building your own confidence in your abilities each time you master something new. And thanks to online learning solutions, it’s now easier than ever for teachers to improve their own skills and knowledge with a course such as this MA education distance learning while continuing to work full-time teaching classes.
#2. Record Yourself Teaching:
Making a video of yourself teaching can be pretty awkward to start with, but it can also be one of the most meaningful things that you can do when it comes to self-improvement in your profession. Use your own or borrow a camera and tripod from your school and pick a lesson where you want to film yourself. Hit record when the class begins – after a while you’ll forget it’s there and continue teaching as normal. If you’re going to be moving around the room, then you might want to ask a student or teaching assistant to film you.
Students are probably going to ask you why there’s a camera in class, so be honest with them – let them know that you are filming yourself so that you can see what you are like from their perspective, and use the information you gain to become a better teacher. Not only is this a great idea to get suggestions from your students; it’s also a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement to them.
Once you’ve recorded the lesson, give yourself some uninterrupted time to watch the film. You may want to watch it at least a couple of times to ensure that you don’t miss anything; take notes if you find that useful. Try to look at the lesson objectively and treat it as you would if you were watching another teacher rather than yourself. Notice things about yourself as a teacher, such as whether or not you are putting the information across clearly and in a way that is easy for students to understand, the tone that you use when communicating with students, and what students are doing when you’re giving instructions.
#3. Keep a Reflective Journal:
Often, it can be difficult to know exactly what we are thinking until we give ourselves permission to put it into words. Keeping a professional reflective journal is a great idea for teachers – it allows us to process our experiences and make plans for future growth based on these. And, the entire process of translating thoughts and feelings into words on paper can add a very clarifying perspective to the teaching profession for an individual. It gives an opportunity to see trends, understand difficulties more clearly, and make sense of certain experiences.
And, a reflective journal doesn’t have to be just another lengthy task to carry out every day. You should keep a journal in whatever way suits you best; maybe you prefer taking some time to compose detailed journal entries, or perhaps all you need is a few minutes to reflect on the day gone by. It can be helpful to keep some key questions in mind when keeping a journal, such as:
- What are your goals and how does each day reflect them?
- Have you done anything to make a difference today?
- What would you do differently today?
- What should you focus on tomorrow?
- What did you learn today?
#4. Read More:
Any teacher will tell you that reading is a great way to improve your intelligence, no matter what you read. Even reading fiction can be a great way to step into somebody else’s point of view in a different place and time, which can be a great way to develop perspective and empathy. And reading non-fiction books can teach you about something new or give you useful tools to become a stronger version of yourself. If you spend a lot of your spare time relaxing, watching TV or scrolling through social media, it might be worth considering whether you could put some of this time to good use by reading.
And, the best part is that accessing books has never been easier – you can download the Kindle App to your Android smartphone or iPhone or use the iBooks app on iPhone to access a massive collection of diverse titles. There are thousands of great books about education available, too – any one of these could be just what you need to impact your teaching and allow you to grow as a professional. Pick a book that you like the look of and get started – if you’re not sure where to begin, you could ask your colleagues for recommendations.
As a teacher, working to improve yourself constantly is important for getting the most out of your chosen career.