Teaching well is not a simple science, but if we can create a simple recipe to stick too we will be stronger as we face the varying struggles and challenges that exist in the teaching/learning world.
Be ready
Planning and prep at least one week ahead with a collection of lessons helps educators be ready for any situation that comes up. This is an important ingredient to teaching well.
Morning greeting
Making the time to greet children each morning with care truly gets the day off to a good start. If you're at the door greeting children you notice how children are entering school that day. You have a few minutes to cheer them up, answer questions, and coach them forward for a good day.
Posted schedule
Posting the schedule each morning allows students to know what will happen that day. It keeps everyone on the same page and that helps to create a positive teaching/learning day.
Time for transitions
Yesterday's classroom disharmony was caused by too-rushed transitions. That signaled to me that I have to slow it down so that we're not rushing from one activity to the next, but instead making the time needed for each transition.
Minimize extraneous events and interruptions
People time is intense in school life, and when possible, it's good to minimize that time and the activity that comes with those interactions as much as possible. Teachers can only spread themselves so thin, so it's best to minimize unnecessary interactions in order to elevate energy for the interactions that matter most.
Selective volunteer work
There are countless ways that you can volunteer your time beyond your expected teacher duties, but if you spread yourself too thin with too many volunteer tasks, you won't have the energy or time to do the work that matters most. So be selective about the volunteer initiatives you sign up for. No one can do it all.
Targeted advocacy
The best way to advocate for good change is to work with other like minded colleagues. Going it alone with regard to advocacy does not result in as much positive change or growth. Also it is important to target your advocacy in ways that truly make a positive difference.
Optimal teaching/learning environment
Continually work towards making your teaching/learning environment as positive and helpful as possible. This goal will look differently for each teacher and classroom depending on the classroom goals and efforts, but, in general, an optimal classroom environment for teaching and learning matters.
