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Friday, December 16, 2016

What Great Teachers Do Differently - Focus on Students First

Focus on Students First
Great teachers always put the needs of their students before theirs.  Whitaker states, " Great teachers focus on students first, with a broad vision that keeps everything in perspective" (Whitaker, 48).  This seems like a no-brainer that all teachers focus on students first, but in reality this is not the case for all teachers.  Most teachers get into
 the profession for their love of kids and learning, but slowly, usually over time, something happens.

Take a schedule change for example.  There's an all school assembly at 2:00 on Friday, the student-centered teacher says, "I think it's great that our students get to hear speaker X on this very important topic, what can I do to help?"  The teacher-centered teacher says, "Why does it have to be at 2:00, now my 7th hour class is going to be behind the 6th hour by a day.  What am I going to do?"  The difference is not compliance, it's about who is at the center, student or teacher.

Our natural instincts say to take care of ourselves first, others second.  As a teacher, we need to put the needs of our students in front of ours.  This may cause us discomfort or create small problems for us, but in the end, school is about and for the kids.  Great teachers know this and live it.

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