Are you tired of being just an average teacher? Do you want to stand out from the crowd and become a respected role model for your students and colleagues? Then it is time to stand straight and walk confidently, but that is just the beginning. Based on the bestseller 12 Rules for Life from Jordan Peterson, here are the 12 Rules for teachers to become the best teacher version of themselves.
Grab a cup of coffee and get ready to transform your teaching game.
1- Fix Your Posture
Close your eyes and think of the most charismatic person you have ever met. How does that person stand? How does that person walk?
Slouching reflects low self esteem, it is a tired and defeated posture. On the other hand, making use of your spine conveys confidence and strength.
Fix your posture, and you will naturally become an attractive and respected teacher.
Remember, you are the role model, stand straight and show the way.
2- You Are The Priority
Teachers are selfless; they constantly give to students, but remember that a battery can only work for so long before it needs charging. When the energy levels go low, teachers become easily irritated by students and colleagues.
If you want to keep on giving, you should first treat yourself. Don’t neglect your own needs, do the things that bring you joy and fulfilment. Go out, do some sport, join a yoga class, and feed your soul.
3- Surround Yourself With The Right Teachers
We become the average of the people we spend the most time with. Schools are hives of personalities but beware of the numerous mood-hovers and complainers. They thrive in making their armies bigger. Hang out with the people who spread positive energies, who smile and are happy to be at school, even on Monday mornings. Supportive colleagues will always find a way to bring you up.
4- Compete with yourself
Some teachers are popular; some are very smart, and others are super creative. Do not compare yourself with them! Instead, focus on your own teaching game. Become the best teacher version of yourself. Your students don’t want another Mister Popular or Miss Smart, they want a unique teacher who brings something different. In the end, they go from one classroom to another. They don’t want to watch the same show over and over again. This blog is your perfect opportunity to look for ways to improve your teaching game.
5- Teach Your Students To Abide By The School’s Rules
We all know the necessity of setting boundaries. The most challenging and most important is consistency. Follow up with the rules. Don’t avoid facing students, especially outside the classroom. Very often, confrontation is not needed, instead look for positive reinforcement: “Take your hat off, you are breaking a rule,” is not as good as: “You’d be more handsome without a hat.” Positivity rules!
6- Accept That Your Subject Does Not Matter
It is easy to fall into the subject trap. We isolate ourselves in our department and feel that forces, angles, or adverbial phrases are vital, and it becomes our mission to ensure all students understand.
Teach your curriculum, but look beyond. A school is not a subject-learning institution. Subjects are means for life skills teaching. Formulas and syntaxes are not the ultimate aims. Find out why your subject does not matter.
7- Get Your Life In Order
It is easy to let our personal issues follow to school, but in the classroom, you are the responsible adult. Address your issues in the right place at the right time, and sort out your life. Show your students that today, you are there with them and for them.
8- Embrace Truth
Take a break and review your teaching career. It is time for honesty. Acknowledge your mistakes. We always have our own part of responsibilities, but it is much easier to find scapegoats. Own your mistakes and acknowledge them. This is a learning opportunity for you and your students.
9- Become A Good Listener
When was the last time you listened to a colleague’s or a student’s suggestion?
Teaching is a collaborative process, and it is essential to accept that colleagues and students might have something to teach us. Keep an open mind and listen to ideas and feedback.
10- Define Your Problems Precisely To Make Them Manageable
What makes you unhappy? Why are you stressed?
Whether it is the accumulated books to mark or a delayed discussion with the leadership in frustration with a colleague, take a pen and write down the problem as precisely as possible. By clearly defining your obstacle, you will stop avoiding it and find a way to overcome it. Be very precise with your words.
11- Accept That Inequalities Exist
No one is built the same. Although we’d like to have one lesson to fit all, truth be, our current education system is doomed to fail some students.
The earlier you accept that the better you’d be able to improve your relationship with your students. They have their passions, show interest, and communicate with them. You don’t have to go to all their basketball games, but your interest is an investment and they will give it back to you.
12- Take Your Time To Appreciate The Good Things At School
The return of the sun, a smile or a compliment, be thankful for every single moment of the day. Make each moment an opportunity to comment on the positive, and encourage everyone to follow you on this appreciation of the small things.
Takeaways
Becoming the best teacher version of yourself starts with standing straight. This new height will give you the confidence to make the necessary changes to level up your teaching game.
Within a couple of weeks, you’ll be so charismatic that your students will start thinking that you are actually a superhero in disguise.
Teaching is a fantastic journey, seize the opportunity and answer the call to adventure.
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