The 7 Habits of Effective Teachers

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Hey, teachers. If you have a classroom and a commute, you're in the right place. I'm your host. Rachel and I want to ride along with you each week on your ride into school. This podcast is the place for busy teachers toe want actionable tips, simple strategies and just want to enjoy their job more. Let's go. Hey there, it's Rachel from the classroom nook, and I am riding along with you once again on your commute to the classroom. Hence the name of the podcast. The classroom commute. Hey, before we get started, if you are loving this time together as we carpool on your way to school, I would love if you wanted to leave a review on iTunes for this podcast so that other people can learn about the podcast and partake in all the fun. So I would appreciate that. Thanks so much. One more thing before we get started. If you do not already have instant access to our members Resource library Over on the website classroom nook dot com, make sure you head over there. All you gotta do is find the Members Resource Library link at the top of the page and I'll get you all set up and you will have access to tons of freebies and resource is and video tutorials that you can use in your classroom to save tons of time. All right, today's topic is important, but I don't think it's one that we really think about a lot and certainly don't talk about a lot in our teaching community. So want to talk about it today, and it's about the seven habits of effective teachers. Let me ask you a few questions. Do you have a beautiful and organized looking classroom? Are all your lesson plans prepped for the week or the month? Or maybe even you have your entire year mapped out? Does everything in your class and match perfectly? Do you have a cute teacher planner? What if I told you that being an effective teacher had nothing to do with any of those things? What if it didn't depend on your classrooms color scheme or your classroom decor? Don't get me wrong. I love a pretty classroom, but today I'd like to share with you seven habits that I truly believe are the foundation to be in an effective and successful teacher and guess what? None of them can be accomplished using items found from the Target Dollar bin. I know it's shocking, but let's jump right in. Habit number one effective teachers are open to change. This one gets tougher and tougher. The longer you teach, right, you start to think you've got it all figured out. And then I am. Your administrator tells you you're gonna be starting a new reading program in the fall just after you finish organizing all your reading materials from the old program. Super annoying, right? But effective teaching means that you're ready to make changes that are in the best interest of your students. Let me say that again, the best interest of your students, even if that means a temporary inconvenience for you. Ouch. I know that hurts now. I'm not saying that every change that your administrator or that your schools want to make is great for students. But I'd like to encourage you to keep an open mind as education changes because it will sooner or later and probably sooner. Off course. I always want you to fight for what your students need to be successful. But I also want you to be open to changes that may make that happen, even if it's not something you're super comfortable with. Habit number two Effective teachers actively seek out inspiration. We all like to think that we've got great ideas and we do. But it's also super important to have a source of inspiration to help keep you fresh. Inspiration comes in the form of visiting another teacher's classroom or asking his or her opinion or thoughts on a new project that you're working on. It can come by reading a new professional development book to spice up your teaching practices. And yes, it can come through looking at your Pinterest feed who make it a habit to regularly seek out new inspiration. If you are doing the same activity year after year after year, it might be time to switch it up doesn't mean that the activity wasn't great. But even the greatest activities and lessons become out of date for our ever changing education system. Habit number three effective teachers cultivate family connections. I know, I know. Sometimes parents could be a little demanding and think that their child could do no wrong, but effective teachers work with the students, families to build stronger family relationships, even if you don't always see eye to eye. This also means that effective teachers are not threatened by parent advocacy. It's important for us to really listen to parentsconcerns before you're quick to think that they're just being difficult or they don't trust you as their teacher stopped to listen to them and try to find the middle ground. Because if you don't, working with that parent will always be a struggle and you'll always be wrong in their eyes, even if you are right. Habit for effective teachers set clear objectives not just for their students but for their students, parents, their coworkers and for themselves when you and everyone know what the end goal is, that everyone could work together to reach it together. Class newsletters or even a class blogger website, grade level team meetings and meetings and conferencing regularly with individual students are a great way to communicate and set clear objectives. Habit five. This is a big one. Effective teachers are positive. Yes, that means that they stay out of the teacher's lounge and out of the drama and gas up. Avoid co workers that you know, thrive on the school drama and you know they're out there. Smile and move on. No good can come from participating in the drama and gossip, and it will only bring you down. Have it. Six. Effective teachers reflect constantly, not just at the end of the school year, but each day and each lesson remember, have it. One says that effective teachers air open to change. Just because you always have done something a certain way doesn't mean that there isn't a better or more engaging way. What worked for last year's class might not work for this year's class. You have to reflect and change your teaching practices as needed and habit. Number seven effective teachers don't hope for success. They expect it. You have to set high standards and expect your students to meet them. I didn't say unrealistic expectations, I said. High expectations, and that goes for behavior and academics. Students can tell when you have low expectations of them, and they will usually give you the bare minimum if that's all you expect. If you set the tone that success is possible with the appropriate support, students will reflect that in their own attitudes towards learning and When you don't achieve success, let me remind you of habits. Six. Effective teachers reflect constantly. All right. There's your daily dose of tough love today. I hope that you receive it in a positive light because effective teachers are happy teachers and have happy students. If you want to review these habits or send them on to a teaching co worker, then you can visit my show notes at cluster nook dot com. Forward slash podcast forward slash five. All right, same time. Same place next week. See you then take care.