Are you an aspiring teacher passionate about bringing a positive change in students’ lives through teaching? Assuming you nod in affirmation, you must know that teaching is a rewarding career; however, it can sometimes feel challenging. Nonetheless, seeing your students reaching heights of success outweighs any trouble you encounter.
Students can be difficult to handle. Planning lessons, understanding students’ needs, and ensuring that they grasp the concepts you are teaching, requires your earnest efforts. Teaching is not only about entering a class and delivering a lecture. To become a great teacher, you need to put in a lot of hard work and demonstrate patience. But it is doable.
As an aspiring teacher, you can learn from experienced teachers. Also, you can be creative with your pedagogies to maximize students’ learning. Here are some more tips for future teachers:
Understand the Curriculum
The goal of teachers and curriculum is the same: to help students learn. Teachers need to have a thorough understanding of the school curriculum and command over their teaching subjects. The curriculum shows teachers a direction that enables them to set objectives and plan the delivery of lessons.
Teachers must understand that curriculum is not just content and that when they contextualize it, it becomes alive for students. Active learning only happens when educators have an in-depth insight into the school’s curriculum. So, if you want to serve as an effective teacher in the future, remember to master the curriculum before entering the classroom.
Be Flexible
For teachers, two days are never the same. Situations may arise without warning, and only the ability to adjust in different environments enables you to carry out your responsibilities effectively. Being rigid and sticking to the original lesson delivery plan despite changes in the circumstances will not help you achieve your teaching objective. On the other hand, flexibility assists you tweak lesson plans and strategies as per students’ needs. Schools are all about discipline and rules, but teachers need to be flexible to promote a teaching and learning environment in varying circumstances.
Demonstrate Enthusiasm
It is almost impossible to enter a classroom with zeal daily. Some days you may find it challenging to show enthusiasm for your profession or demonstrate love or care to your students. Still, as a teacher, you must push yourself to do the same.
Make learning a fun process. Be enthusiastic about teaching and tell students that you enjoy being with them. Enthusiasm is contagious. Also, it enhances students’ outcomes, improves classroom behavior, and leads to a better academic environment.
Use Technology
Gone are the days when technical means in classrooms were frowned upon; today, teachers are encouraged to use technology.
Technology can do wonders in a classroom. You can use it to your advantage and make learning fun for students. For instance, gamification helps in reinforcing mathematical concepts. Similarly, you can use tablets to show zoomed-in pictures while teaching biology or physics. In addition, if you ever feel stuck during teaching, you can find answers to your questions with just a click.
Remember, All Students Have Different Abilities
One teaching strategy may not work on all students. Therefore, it would be best to keep in mind that students have different learning abilities and tackle them per their level.
Some students may need more scaffolding than others. Instead of getting frustrated or focusing on finishing the task, you must accommodate students with different learning abilities.
Think Outside the Box
“No risk, no reward” stands true in teaching too. Be innovative, take risks, and try new things once in a while. You are imparting education and teaching skills to leaders of the future. They should be courageous enough to take risks. Think outside the box and strive to make every lesson thrilling for them. Students observe your every move. When they see their teacher taking risks and trying new things, it encourages them to come out of their bubbles and explore new territories.
Establish a Routine
Set a routine in the classroom. Your students must be aware of your expectations from them. Be decisive and stand firmly by your rules.
Establishing a pattern takes time initially, but once rules are in place, it makes the tasks more manageable. Additionally, it reflects that you are proactive at managing tasks and helps you manage students’ behavior.
Accept and Admit Mistakes
“To err is human,” and your students are in a learning phase. They will make multiple errors before they can master a skill. Accept their mistakes and give them second chances. Help them learn from their mistakes and grow academically.
Moreover, as a teacher, you may also make an error. So instead of covering it, admit it. It will help students connect with you, learning that mistakes are a part of learning.
Strike a Work-life Balance
Teaching can be mentally exhausting. You may have to put in extra hours at institutes or bring your work home. Doing so once in a while is fine, but do not let this become routine. Maintain balance in your professional and personal life. Efficient teachers take care of themselves and do not let their work overshadow their home. Therefore, you must strive to have a work-life balance to be a better teacher.
The Bottom Line
Teaching is a career that offers immense satisfaction, but it can be stressful too. Dealing with students from different backgrounds, carrying baggage, and possessing different learning abilities is not all fun and games. However, you can apply multiple techniques and make learning and teaching a great experience.
The world brings new things to the table every day. As a teacher, you must continue to work on your professional development. Learn from your mistakes, and do not let challenges dull your enthusiasm for teaching. The tips mentioned above will help you hone your skills and groom you as a teacher.
