Most
teachers don’t even think about how they appear to students.
Whatever the word is that might describe them, it wasn’t something
that came about with conscious thought. In all likelihood, it just
happened. I’m suggesting that teachers need to consciously
consider their teaching style and work toward developing a positive
and effective style. Developing a teaching style means more than
just one word. To develop a well balanced teaching style means
you must give plenty of thought to what works well for you and
what will
be best for the students you work with.
Don’t think that you can’t change your teaching style.
It’s easy to dismiss the possibility of change by saying "Ahhh,
I’m me and that’s that. Nothing I can do about it." Of
course, it is possible to change your approach to teaching. Here
are some steps to consider as you start defining your teaching
style.
1. What word or words would students use to describe you now. Are
you comfortable with what they would say?
2. Is the demeanor you present to a class helpful to your teaching
or might it actually get in the way of good teaching?
3. What styles of teachers you’ve observed or known would
you like to emulate?
4. What change in teaching style might make you enjoy your job a
bit more?
5. What changes in your teaching style are critical now?
6. If you need help, what are possible sources of help? For example,
if you’re having trouble with discipline, who might help
you correct that problem?
7. Do you have a confidence problem? Stage fright?
8. Ask students what makes a good teacher. You may find the answers
at once shallow ("they’re not mean") and yet perceptive.
9. You can make any change gradually. The Superman approach (into
the phone booth, change into the super hero uniform in seconds)
isn’t
required. A little bit at a time is fine.
Once you start the process of developing or enhancing a teaching
style which will help you make your job more effective and enjoyable,
you might consider some of these goals:
1. Be in command, in charge, and supremely confident in the classroom.
You are a PROFESSIONAL, after all.
2. Never lose your temper. Be firm, perhaps, but don’t ever
lose control. Deal with explosive situations at another time or
another place.
3. Talk to students as if they’re human beings, not predatory
devils. A little respect for students goes a long way and doesn’t
stop you from providing advice and guidance.
4. Have a sense of humor. Be ready to laugh even at yourself at appropriate
moments.
5. Be fair. "Fair" is probably the most commonly mentioned
trait students use about teachers. It may be the hardest thing
to do. Work at it. Ask for help from fellow teachers, administrators,
and students.
6. Be a mentor or get a mentor. Find someone on the faculty you can
trust to bounce ideas off of.
7. Be organized. Read any book on how to be organized that looks
like it might help.
8. Try not to take problems home. Work, yes, but problems, no. Resolve
them before you leave for the day or at least develop a plan for
resolving them tomorrow.
9. Be prepared. Not necessarily in the Boy Scout sense, but have
ready all you need for teaching before school starts. Have your lessons
planned, make sure all materials are in place, and check the VCR
before you show that video.
10. Be the professional with parents and administrators. Consider
the concerns and requirements of others, but remember…you’re
a trained professional.
11. Give a little of yourself. Arrive a little early, stay a little
late. Everyone on the faculty knows who comes in at the last minute
and leaves just as the final bell tolls.
Here are some exercises that might help you develop any changes
you see necessary in your teaching style. Pick ones which might really
work for you. If they seem senseless or meaningless, fine. Sometimes
the best path is the one you find for yourself.
1. List the words you think students may be using to describe you.
2. Rank the teachers you know in order by quality of teaching, respect
3. accorded by students, knowledge of subject matter, approval
by parents,etc. You should keep these lists very private, of course,
but you may find them useful. Incidentally, most teachers who make
these lists find that the same teachers rank near the top on almost
all lists.
3. Make sure you put yourself on the lists in number 2.
4. Create a character for a short story who is the best teacher you
can imagine.
5. Sit in on the class of a widely respected teacher. See what that
teacher does.
6. Sit in on the class of a teacher you think is having trouble.
Find out why.
