It isn't difficult to describe what it means to be a "qualified" teacher. Job postings usually have a list of educational and professional requirements that a school district feels is important for their teachers to have. But what would you think if you saw an ad that read like this:
"Wanted: Educators who are resourceful, intelligent, emotionally stable, considerate, optimistic, fair, consistent, motivated, self-confident, neatly dressed, refined, cooperative and who have a sense of humor."
Would you feel confident that you had developed these characteristics well enough to be a competitive contender for this position? While it's important to be "qualified" to teach, many experts say it's even more important to be a "quality" teacher. A quality teacher will foster a classroom environment in which students thrive and succeed, evidenced by improved performance and higher test scores. Their students will recognize excellence and will begin to develop the same positive characteristics they have seen demonstrated by their teacher. Take a look at a few of these characteristic traits and see how they will help you be a highly effective teacher in the classroom:
Resourcefulness: The school setting is often where one needs to be the most resourceful. There are many opportunities for teachers to make their own way, so use these times to your advantage by showing your class how to solve a problem when it appears to be unsolvable. Your students will benefit in a number of ways, the least of which is learning how important this character trait is to personal success.
Intelligence: Of course you're smart. But don't ever stop learning about new techniques you can use in the classroom. Keep your instruction fresh, and your students will stay interested.
Emotional stability: There are many circumstances in the classroom when a teacher must remain poised and graceful. Try to keep your cool when you're disappointed, stressed or upset and you will quickly earn the respect of your students.
Consideration: Being considerate doesn't have to mean that you're a push-over. Model thoughtfulness, and you will be surprised how fast the idea catches on with your students.
Fairness: No matter how tough you are, students will appreciate when you're fair.
Cooperativeness: Teamwork is an important requirement in anyone's career. Teaching students how to be cooperative in the classroom setting will help them become successful in whatever work they decide to do as an adult.
Sense of humor: Long days inside a classroom with a group of rowdy students can be tough. Trying to see the humorous side of things when something goes wrong can make your day -- and your students' day -- much more tolerable. And humor is a great stress-coping skill that everyone should develop.
So if you're not quite where you want to be, just where do you begin?
Self-evaluate. This is the easiest way to recognize your strengths and weaknesses. Maybe you are thought of as an intelligent person, but your sense of humor is lacking. Or you are consistent in the classroom, but aren't always cooperative with school staff. Don't beat yourself up though -- remember your strengths, too.
Find a mentor -- or be one. We've all run across those amazing teachers who have experienced remarkable personal growth from the experiences they've had as teachers, as well as from the trials and tribulations in their personal life. They connect well with their students and find ways to reach those many thought were unreachable. Surround yourself with people who are exhibiting the attributes with which you are struggling. In addition, you might just find someone asking you to mentor them because of a strength you have that they want to develop. Be open to help others and for them to help you, and become the highly-effective teacher you've always wanted to be.
"Wanted: Educators who are resourceful, intelligent, emotionally stable, considerate, optimistic, fair, consistent, motivated, self-confident, neatly dressed, refined, cooperative and who have a sense of humor."
Would you feel confident that you had developed these characteristics well enough to be a competitive contender for this position? While it's important to be "qualified" to teach, many experts say it's even more important to be a "quality" teacher. A quality teacher will foster a classroom environment in which students thrive and succeed, evidenced by improved performance and higher test scores. Their students will recognize excellence and will begin to develop the same positive characteristics they have seen demonstrated by their teacher. Take a look at a few of these characteristic traits and see how they will help you be a highly effective teacher in the classroom:
Resourcefulness: The school setting is often where one needs to be the most resourceful. There are many opportunities for teachers to make their own way, so use these times to your advantage by showing your class how to solve a problem when it appears to be unsolvable. Your students will benefit in a number of ways, the least of which is learning how important this character trait is to personal success.
Intelligence: Of course you're smart. But don't ever stop learning about new techniques you can use in the classroom. Keep your instruction fresh, and your students will stay interested.
Emotional stability: There are many circumstances in the classroom when a teacher must remain poised and graceful. Try to keep your cool when you're disappointed, stressed or upset and you will quickly earn the respect of your students.
Consideration: Being considerate doesn't have to mean that you're a push-over. Model thoughtfulness, and you will be surprised how fast the idea catches on with your students.
Fairness: No matter how tough you are, students will appreciate when you're fair.
Cooperativeness: Teamwork is an important requirement in anyone's career. Teaching students how to be cooperative in the classroom setting will help them become successful in whatever work they decide to do as an adult.
Sense of humor: Long days inside a classroom with a group of rowdy students can be tough. Trying to see the humorous side of things when something goes wrong can make your day -- and your students' day -- much more tolerable. And humor is a great stress-coping skill that everyone should develop.
So if you're not quite where you want to be, just where do you begin?
Self-evaluate. This is the easiest way to recognize your strengths and weaknesses. Maybe you are thought of as an intelligent person, but your sense of humor is lacking. Or you are consistent in the classroom, but aren't always cooperative with school staff. Don't beat yourself up though -- remember your strengths, too.
Find a mentor -- or be one. We've all run across those amazing teachers who have experienced remarkable personal growth from the experiences they've had as teachers, as well as from the trials and tribulations in their personal life. They connect well with their students and find ways to reach those many thought were unreachable. Surround yourself with people who are exhibiting the attributes with which you are struggling. In addition, you might just find someone asking you to mentor them because of a strength you have that they want to develop. Be open to help others and for them to help you, and become the highly-effective teacher you've always wanted to be.
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