Advice for Teachers
Posted by Sharon M. Tresino on 30 Sep 2009 | Posted in: Classroom Management, Teachers and Teaching
Just recently I had the opportunity to recall the best teaching advice I’ve ever been given. And, surprisingly, it came while I was babysitting my godson. I have spent tons of time with him and his parents, but this was the first time I had him all to myself. I looked forward to it all week. I planned games, picked out books to read, and bought a new box of crayons. I was all set! But within 15 minutes of his arrival, I realized my sweet little godson had turned into a not-so-sweet little monster. I tried both reasoning with him and diverting his attention. I even threatened to call his parents. (He knew I was bluffing!) Finally it hit me…my very smart godson was testing me, and I had fallen into his trap. That’s when I heard the voice of my mentor teacher saying, “Always start out firm to show your students you are in charge. You can always ease up later. But if you let them run over you from the beginning, you’ll have a hard time gaining control later.” I know she was right because this advice helped me with my students. But for some reason I hadn’t applied the same learning to my godson. I was eventually able to gain some control back that afternoon, but I have to admit the day could have gone better.
So what about you? What’s your best teaching advice? I’d love to know…it just might help me next time I babysit my godson!
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I have heard a lot of the same advice listed already. However, the best piece of advice I think I got from mentors was to “Think outside of the box, don’t follow society’s definition of what is correct!” This past week for Fire Safety Week, we made firetrucks out of tissue boxes in my Kindergarten class. Although NONE of them looked like my example, they were absolutely adorable and every single parent that walked down my hallway stopped to look at them hanging on the wall. They instantly knew what it was although some looked more like red boxes with straws stuck on them! Although our plans dont always go the way we think they should, and art projects do not turn out the way we imagined them being, they are perfect simply because a child made it and was proud of what they made!
its better not to be out of your conscious when teaching. be yourself. you can be called a good teacher.
Wow, great advice from all. I to have heard the same pieces of sage advice, start out tough, plan more than you need just in case, go with the teachable moment, I also was told once not to take any of my students moods personnally, remember they too can have a bad day.
The best advice I ever received came from a veteran teacher. He told me that “well spaced reviews increase retention”. I have always kept this theory in mind when planning and I have learned that he knew what he was talking about.
my best advice was to always know why you are doing what you are doing! it helps when I am trying to plan in activity in kindergarten, I am less likely to fall in a rut this way. Also, it helps when parents question you!
The best advice I have ever gotten is to be prepared to throw my plan out and go with what has caught the kids interest. Some of my best days have been going off the subject to what the kids want. The teachable moment is great.
The best advice I have ever gotten was the same advice you received…but to also ALWAYS have extra plans on hand. Sometimes a lesson takes more time than expected but sometimes you are done and then what? I always have a “bag of tricks” ready. I keep several cd’s ready to use and a box of extra activities on hand to use as needed. It has come in handy more than once.
The best avice I have ever had…ALWAYS have a back up plan. You may forget the spoon for the applesauce you are making, or you forgot to copy enough papers, or someone borrowed that game and you forgot to get it back. A million little things could happen and then what??
After fogetting my crockpot one year when wanting to make green eggs and ham I learned to always have a little something extra handy!