My favorite teaching book, Visible Learning for Teachers, Maximizing Impact on Learning by John Hattie emphasizes that educators need to "know thy impact." As I met with grade-level colleagues yesterday to chart the teaching year's course, and as I analyzed a number of scores last night, his words rang true. Everything we do in schools, big and small, matters when it comes to student success. Whether you're a school nurse, administrative assistant, teaching assistant, therapist, special educator, classroom teacher, coach, director or leader, your time and effort matters, and it matters a lot. We can all impact student growth with the following actions--actions which I strive for too.
Positivity
Children need a positive, affirming, "you can do it" environment.
Time on Task Coaching and Care
Children demand our best efforts. They excel when we take the time to work with them by listening, explicitly teaching, answering their questions, designing responsive learning experiences, assessing, and refining practice to help every child succeed in meaningful ways.
Strengths Based Teaching
Start with students' strengths not deficits and build from there.
Streamlined, Efficient Systems of Instruction
Show up on time. Create and stick to a positive learning pattern. Save the conversations for emails or meetings, and center the student time on effective learning experiences.
Collaborate and Share
Find ways to spread the "good news" of teaching including the lessons, activities, and efforts that make a difference.
Goal Set and Contribute
Work with colleagues to focus on specific goals that will make a difference for your students and school. Contribute your efforts to reach those goals. For example if a school-wide goal is writing then everyone from art to music to physical education to the classroom to specialists should institute some piece of that goal in their efforts. A shared goal builds community, and a shared goal also builds success.
Communicate with Transparency
Don't make colleagues, families, and students hunt for information that can positively impact learning and programs. The hunt for information wastes time and slows down potential. For example, if there are amazing success stories with specific facts, share those stories. All teachers and students really want to succeed, and any information that leads to that success makes a difference.
Set the Stage for Success
Klunky furniture, slow infrastructures, minimal communication, and mixed-up schedules impede progress, while comfortable furniture, facile infrastructures, ready communication, and streamlined schedules provide the "loose-tight" responsive school stage for success. Keep the time, money, and people that support education simple and streamlined, leaving most time, money, and people for invigorating hands-on, student-centered learning.
Commitment and Diversity
Look for educators and staff that are committed. Also seek diversity. Diverse, committed staffs bring energy, enthusiasm, passion, and valuable time to children.
When it comes to impacting school success with strength, what additional attributes do you believe are essential? The potential for positive work is amazing when we all work together to make it happen--when we truly "know thy impact."
