I've
come to realize great educators take responsibility for their own
learning rather than waiting for the school district to tell them
when and what to learn.
Great
educators take responsibility for student learning and believe
wholeheartedly that failure to reach mastery is not an option. By
the same token, they understand that failure is a success in
learning.
Great
educators continuously rethink the way in which they learn and are
comfortable with being uncomfortable. They work to remain
intellectually curious inside and outside the classroom.
Great
teachers never fail to plan and understand that 90% of
differentiation happens before the students ever enter the
classroom.
Talking
about great ideas and actually putting these ideas into action are
two very different things. Great educators let their actions speak
for themselves.
I've
experienced first hand that excellence doesn't happen by accident.
Great educators believe there are no 9 to 5 jobs in education, only
opportunities to make a difference.
As
an educator, if you find yourself stuck between two decisions, I've
learned the one that requires more work is the best decision for
kids.
As
a school leader or teacher, "Because I said so" or
"Because its the way we have always done it" is never an
appropriate response to the relevant question "Why?"
“No
news is good news” is no longer the case when it comes to parent communication. Effective educators
strive to establish partnerships with parents to support student
learning. Great teachers understand this relationship may be the
most important ingredient in a child's success.
Great
teachers refrain from grading students during formative assessments
and assist students in learning from their successes, failures,
mistakes and misconceptions.
“I've never heard of a student not doing his work; it's our work he's not
doing.” If you give homework at
all, it should be meaningful,
purposeful, efficient, personalized, doable, and inviting. Most
important, great teachers allow students to freely communicate when
they struggle with homework and can do so without penalty.
Competition
can't beat collaboration! Great educators improve the curriculum
together. They not only share responsibility for the achievement of
all students but also admit other teachers contribute to their
success.
