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, and
students.
6. Be a mentor or get a mentor. Find someone
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 class starts.
Have your lessons planned, make sure all materials are in place.
10. Be the professional with parents. 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 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
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. Sit in on the class of a widely
respected teacher. See what that teacher does.
5. Sit in on the class of a teacher you think is having trouble. Find out why.