The picture of an entire class lost in their work is the most beautiful sight in teaching. Because it’s irrefutable proof that your lesson was effective, and that learning, deep and meaningful, is taking place. Sadly, it’s a scene that rarely plays out. Most … Read more
Most teachers are hyperaware of their most difficult students—and well they should be. It’s smart to know where they are and what they’re doing. But this awareness can cause you to behave oddly around them. It can cause you to glare and glower in … Read more
A teacher walks wordlessly with one of her most challenging students. They’re on the playground and it’s recess time. Some distance away the rest of the class laughs and plays and loses themselves in games of tetherball and foursquare. From a distance you might … Read more
Teaching is important, to be sure. But if you’re not careful, this fact can weigh heavily. It can cause you to wrap an unhealthy amount of your identity into your job. It can cause you to be distracted around your friends and family. It … Read more
Done right, modeling has the power to teach your students virtually anything you want them to be able to do. And in a way they won’t soon forget. The problem, however, is that most teachers don’t model very well. They gloss over details. They … Read more
Teachers tend to be overly focused on their most difficult students. They stress-out about them. They strategize over them. They spend more time dealing with them than the rest of their class put together. They try this approach, then that one. They powwow again … Read more
There is a common misconception that you must be “cool” in order to build rapport. The idea being that unless you’re able to interact with students on their level, unless you can speak their pop/youth culture language and tap into their wider influences, your … Read more
Listening is always a problem with a new group of students. You can count on it. Dwelling on it or complaining about it—as many teachers are wont to do—is a waste of time. The effective teacher is only concerned with what they can control. … Read more