The following piece is found in the May 2016 edition of Educational Leadership. This teacher nails a lot of things on the head.
"Regardless of where, who, and what you teach, the essence of the work never changes. Base every decision on one simple question: Is this good for kids? Get to know your students well. Advocate and fight for them every day. Do your best and do as much as you can, but know that you can't do it all—not all at once, anyway. At the end of each day, ask yourself, What could I have done better? Then do that next time. Admit your own mistakes. Show your students how the most challenging problems offer the greatest opportunities for growth. Let your students know every day that you believe in them and that you care about them, and never forget to believe in and care about yourself, too. Have fun. Never let the joy and wonder fade. Share ideas, materials, and happy hours with your colleagues. Your students may forget the facts they learned in your class, but they will never forget how you made them feel. Help them feel confident, powerful, and important. Teach them not to give up by never giving up yourself. Be a model of lifelong learning, reflection, and self-evaluation. Always do better next time."
—Leah Wilson, teacher, Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville, Maryland
Read more Educational Leadership articles here.
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