Be willing to reflect and change

This change may be to your activity planning and lessons, or it may be change at a more personal and fundamental level. In either case, a habit of reflection is the key.

Teachers expect learners to come into their classes or centres and, in some way, be changed. We require that learners take on new ideas, challenge themselves, accept failure, and try again. We want them to love and commit to learning and continuous development and improvement. We ask them to “take responsibility for their learning”. 

So what about us? Should we not share the same commitment if we believe that is the way to be ‘educated’? Great teachers have an abiding commitment to lifelong learning and development, are open to change, and constantly strive for improvement. Here is some good general advice about the necessity of continuous learning from Dr Terry Paulson.

This video from NZ shows an experienced Educator reflecting on the changes that have occurred within the role of the teacher and the crucial importance of developing critical reflective skills and habits. This video looks specifically at what reflective practice means in a teaching context and how to begin and manage reflective processes. Robert Marzano, a well-known Teacher Educator and author, runs a workshop with teachers designed to develop strong reflective practices and includes some footage in real classrooms.