Almost a decade ago, I sat on a desk in my classroom talking to my student teacher on her last day. She was sharing her fears about stepping into her own classroom, and I was trying my best to offer her every piece of advice I could muster. The result of that conversation was my book, A Lesson Plan for Teachers, and eventually this blog. My goal in writing both is the same now as it was in the very beginning. I wanted to help new teachers and those who were struggling in their classrooms.
And then I sat down to write the book. While I did include all the topics I felt vital for establishing a highly effective secondary classroom, I also thought it was important to make one thing clear…
Here is a related article I wrote on the topic… one that is still so relevant today!
Expect Excellence:
Teaching without Excuses from the students or from yourself
Why do you teach?
Really think about that question.
Why do YOU teach? Think about all
it means. Why are you in that
classroom? Why do you get up each
morning, put on your working face, and step into that tropical forest that
could grow and flourish or wilt and wither all at your hand? Assuming you are a teacher, and not just one
of those among us that took the job for the 3-month vacation (like that really
happens), you already know the answer to the question. You are a teacher because, simply stated, you
are.
Really think about that question.
Why do YOU teach? Think about all
it means. Why are you in that
classroom? Why do you get up each
morning, put on your working face, and step into that tropical forest that
could grow and flourish or wilt and wither all at your hand? Assuming you are a teacher, and not just one
of those among us that took the job for the 3-month vacation (like that really
happens), you already know the answer to the question. You are a teacher because, simply stated, you
are.
I started teaching as soon as I could speak. Education was important to me, and I wanted
everyone to know its importance. Now,
unlike so many of today’s students, I was raised with an appreciation of
education, a great and mighty need for learning. Even before I started reading at age 3, I
forced my knowledge on others, even strangers.
It should be understood that I grew up in a time when strangers were not
feared as they are today, and often times were welcomed into our homes,
especially if they were carrying a Bible or a vacuum. So, as each traveling salesman or missionary
came to the door, I would fling open my book and begin my instruction. In the beginning, my lessons were the verses
I had memorized in Sunday school the week before, and Grandma would lean down
to me and tell me the adults already had this knowledge and that I should run
on and play. With a few taps to my head,
and laughs from the adults, I would move on to my other victims – an assortment
of dolls and stuffed animals arranged neatly in rows across my bedroom floor.
everyone to know its importance. Now,
unlike so many of today’s students, I was raised with an appreciation of
education, a great and mighty need for learning. Even before I started reading at age 3, I
forced my knowledge on others, even strangers.
It should be understood that I grew up in a time when strangers were not
feared as they are today, and often times were welcomed into our homes,
especially if they were carrying a Bible or a vacuum. So, as each traveling salesman or missionary
came to the door, I would fling open my book and begin my instruction. In the beginning, my lessons were the verses
I had memorized in Sunday school the week before, and Grandma would lean down
to me and tell me the adults already had this knowledge and that I should run
on and play. With a few taps to my head,
and laughs from the adults, I would move on to my other victims – an assortment
of dolls and stuffed animals arranged neatly in rows across my bedroom floor.
Teaching is in me. It
is a need. It is gut. Plain and simple, I must be in a classroom,
surrounded by minds that I can instruct.
I must be sharing with them, not just my time or my criticism or my resources,
but my knowledge and my love of knowledge.
I am a teacher because I am.
is a need. It is gut. Plain and simple, I must be in a classroom,
surrounded by minds that I can instruct.
I must be sharing with them, not just my time or my criticism or my resources,
but my knowledge and my love of knowledge.
I am a teacher because I am.
I feel comfortable in my classroom. Like no other place I have ever been, my
classroom is my refuge. It is the place
where I feel like I need to be, as some refer to it – my calling. Along with that idea, I consider myself a
natural. I don’t say this to be
bragging, but it just comes easy to me.
It is what I do. It is what I am
meant to do. Some will understand this,
some will not, and some may someday just “get it,” but it is my firm belief
that teaching must be a natural act. It
cannot be taught. I imagine that any
administrator, or college education professor, reading this text is jumping out
of their skin right now. Additionally,
any parent reading may be thinking, “What kind of quack is this writer,
thinking a teacher could control and teach my child without being taught to
teach.” So, explanation is needed.
classroom is my refuge. It is the place
where I feel like I need to be, as some refer to it – my calling. Along with that idea, I consider myself a
natural. I don’t say this to be
bragging, but it just comes easy to me.
It is what I do. It is what I am
meant to do. Some will understand this,
some will not, and some may someday just “get it,” but it is my firm belief
that teaching must be a natural act. It
cannot be taught. I imagine that any
administrator, or college education professor, reading this text is jumping out
of their skin right now. Additionally,
any parent reading may be thinking, “What kind of quack is this writer,
thinking a teacher could control and teach my child without being taught to
teach.” So, explanation is needed.
A teacher is a teacher at heart. You have it, or you don’t. It is not that you should jump in without any
schooling or preparation (which is illegal in the U.S. anyway), but your
purpose in being there should be in you in the beginning. My last student teacher comprehended this
idea. She was a natural. She took the bat, stepped up to the plate,
and swung with a free flowing follow-through that was, without a doubt, a
homerun. She felt the mood of the
classes, saw the future of each student, and anticipated the rises and falls
that may take place in a typical day.
There is no hesitation, no quandary, no question. She was supposed to be there. A teacher.
Does she still need to complete her student teaching and her college
courses? Absolutely. She needs to learn methods and skills to
practice with her students. She needs to
hear the ideas of others. She needs to
see the hope and dreams that others also have for the success of the children
placed in our care. She needs to learn.
schooling or preparation (which is illegal in the U.S. anyway), but your
purpose in being there should be in you in the beginning. My last student teacher comprehended this
idea. She was a natural. She took the bat, stepped up to the plate,
and swung with a free flowing follow-through that was, without a doubt, a
homerun. She felt the mood of the
classes, saw the future of each student, and anticipated the rises and falls
that may take place in a typical day.
There is no hesitation, no quandary, no question. She was supposed to be there. A teacher.
Does she still need to complete her student teaching and her college
courses? Absolutely. She needs to learn methods and skills to
practice with her students. She needs to
hear the ideas of others. She needs to
see the hope and dreams that others also have for the success of the children
placed in our care. She needs to learn.
Now please do not think that I am one of those happy all the
time teachers that create a glow through the building as they click through the
halls with a bright smile or a pleasant word for everyone, but I do love being
at my place. It’s where I feel most “at
home” and where I get my energy. It is my
sanctuary, but also my asylum, which is another reason I want to share my experiences
and ideas to help others walk an easier path.
Moreover, I don’t just want to pass on my own ideas, but I will also
divulge all the great secrets disclosed to me from all the incredible teachers
I have met in my life. After all,
teaching is all about learning, and I like to learn from the best. It’s like writing a cookbook without
considering the input of Julia Child or Emeril or the newest ingredients of the
Food Network’s Top Chef. What works
should be shared and passed on to help those that come after us.
time teachers that create a glow through the building as they click through the
halls with a bright smile or a pleasant word for everyone, but I do love being
at my place. It’s where I feel most “at
home” and where I get my energy. It is my
sanctuary, but also my asylum, which is another reason I want to share my experiences
and ideas to help others walk an easier path.
Moreover, I don’t just want to pass on my own ideas, but I will also
divulge all the great secrets disclosed to me from all the incredible teachers
I have met in my life. After all,
teaching is all about learning, and I like to learn from the best. It’s like writing a cookbook without
considering the input of Julia Child or Emeril or the newest ingredients of the
Food Network’s Top Chef. What works
should be shared and passed on to help those that come after us.
So what does all this have to do with expecting excellence? We must first expect it from ourselves. Once we’ve accomplished that, setting high expectations for students will be easy! And the more direct answer was in the subheading…Teach without excuses from the students or from yourself.
Happy Teaching!