We all know how demanding, tiresome, and difficult a teacher’s job is. These tips by Manaswini Sridhar, teacher educator and language trainer, will hopefully help you through your teaching day.
- We all talk about it often enough, but forget to do it. Smile!
- Dressing well and comfortably is the best way of feeling confident.
- For many students, the teacher is the role model. Make sure they have chosen the right one to model their lives after.
- Your students ask permission to drink water and that you grant. You too should carry a bottle of water to every classroom. Staying hydrated is very important.
- Never give up on a student. You are the only hope the student probably has.
- Allow students to help you set the goals. They know better what they lack and what they need to learn.
- Don’t leave the impression with students that if they don’t learn the first time they are not smart enough.
- Do not become boring and predictable by adopting the same style of teaching. This is when discipline problems surface.
- Return tests and assignments as early as possible in order to make it relevant. Don’t just assign grades; provide feedback.
- School is not just about academic learning; it is also about learning about life skills. Encourage students to garner these skills while young.
- Introduce yourself at the beginning of the year with your name, the subject you will be teaching and what you look forward to. Students like to know the ‘person’ in their teacher.
- Don’t shy away from simplifying a complicated concept. A great teacher makes everything simple.
- Today’s generation is known as the silent generation since they talk only to gadgets. Encourage them to talk to people because this is what they will be doing on their jobs.
- Do not teach students to fear exams and tests. Teach them to look forward to them as evaluating how much they have learned and not how little they have learned.
- Do not shy away from website resources. Tweak them to suit your class and subject.
- Have the confidence to laugh with your students. A fine sense of humour is what makes a good teacher a more humane one.
- Understand that developing reading and writing skills are not the job of the language teacher alone; students need these skills for every subject!
- Teaching students time management is easy when you allow them to see how well you manage yours.
- Open channels of communication with all your colleagues so that you do not burden students with homework when others are also doing the same.
- Impress upon students that saying sorry does not mean you are demeaning yourself. It only shows that you are strong enough to admit your mistake.
- Homework can be given in many forms: a listening exercise, a speaking exercise, a reading exercise or a writing exercise. It need not always pertain to writing.
- Consider informing parents when a student is constantly caught cheating. The student may be academically weak or not confident enough. Parents need to address these issues.
- Footwear is also a part of your attire. Wear something that is both comfortable and professional. Flip-flops are definitely out!
- If you know what you are doing, don’t allow parents to pressurize you. Tell them you will get back and you can take the discussion further.
- Encourage students who constantly forget to bring books or homework to make a reminder bracelet.
- Don’t just state a principle or a rule. Give lots of examples. That is the way to make teaching relevant.
- Greet all your students at the beginning of every class in a positive manner and with a smile, making eye contact with all the students. It sets the right mood for the class.
- Ensure that students thank you at the end of the class with a well-meaning Thank you, Sir or Thank you, Ma’am while making eye contact.
- Make it a routine to reciprocate with a bright You’re welcome while making eye contact.
- Collect homework by placing a homework box at the classroom door. By stationing yourself at the door, you can make sure that all the students are depositing it in the box.
- It is natural for students to misbehave sometimes. Don’t hold a grudge against them. Let go!
- Show your students that you want to be in school because you like school. Grumpiness can rub off on your students.
- A new student can be introduced by a fellow classmate. This allows the new student to make a friend.
- The classroom environment is practical. But vary the environment at least twice a month and give students a choice. You will notice that some students learn better this way.
- Remembering your students’ names is a good way of commanding their respect and controlling them.
- A clean classroom provides for the right kind of learning environment and keeps the class in a positive state of mind.
- Many young students do not understand that they are whining. You as a teacher need to bring to the child’s notice that it is childish and doesn’t win him/her any kind of respect.
- When an angry parent complains about the curriculum, school policies or anything else that is beyond your control, refer them to the Principal. You will not be of any help.
- Never let a group of students be disrespectful, distracted, and bored. Shake them up, then you are doing your job.
- Do not ignore a student when he/she comes forward to say there is someone bullying him/her. Praise the child for coming forward and handle the situation.
- Smile at the children in the hall as you pass them by. It will make you feel better. Those students who make it to your class in later years will always remember you as the pleasant teacher and behave in your class.
- Group students with different learning styles for cooperative learning. This will help the group understand the concept they are working on much better.