Society depends on education in families but also on what is taught in schools and on the quality of teaching. Teachers have a great responsibility regarding the moral and emotional development of the students who come to their classrooms every morning. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to be a good teacher.
Like other careers, there are those who are more natural than others. Even those with the most natural teaching ability must take the time to cultivate their innate talent. Personal growth and development is a critical component that all teachers must embrace to maximize their potential.
There are several different ways that a teacher can enhance their personal growth and development. Most teachers will use a combination of these methods to solicit valuable feedback and information that will guide their teaching career. Some teachers may prefer one method over another, but each of the following has been shown to be valuable in your overall development as a teacher.
Costumer
Experience is perhaps the best teacher. No amount of learning can really prepare you for the adversity that a teacher can face in the real world. First-year teachers often wonder what they've gotten themselves into over the course of that first year.
It can be frustrating and daunting, but it gets easier. A classroom is a laboratory and teachers are chemists who constantly manipulate, experiment and mix things until they find the right combination that works for them. Every day and year brings new challenges, but experience allows us to adapt quickly and make changes to ensure things continue to run efficiently.
Diary
Journaling can provide valuable learning opportunities through self-reflection. It allows you to capture moments in your teaching career that can be beneficial to reference at other points along the way. Journaling doesn't have to take a long time. 10-15 minutes a day can provide you with a lot of valuable information. Learning opportunities arise almost daily, and journaling allows you to encapsulate these moments, reflect on them at a later time, and make adjustments that can help you become a better teacher.
Literature
There is an overabundance of books and periodicals dedicated to teachers. You can find a host of great books and periodicals to help you improve in whatever area you struggle with as a teacher. You can also find several books and periodicals of an inspiring and motivating nature.
There are great books and periodicals that can challenge the way you teach critical concepts. You probably won't agree with every facet of every book or periodical, but most offer great tidbits that we can apply to ourselves and to our classrooms. Ask other teachers, talking to administrators or doing a quick search online can provide you with a good list of must-read literature.
Mentoring program
Mentoring can be an invaluable tool for professional growth and development. Each young teacher must be paired with a veteran teacher. This relationship can be beneficial for both teachers as long as both parties keep an open mind. Young teachers can draw on the experience and knowledge of a veteran teacher, while veteran teachers can gain a new perspective and an overview of the latest educational trends. A tutoring program provides teachers with a natural support system in which they can seek feedback and guidance, exchange ideas, and sometimes blow off steam.
Professional development workshops / conferences
Professional development is a required component of being a teacher. Each state requires teachers to earn a certain number of professional development hours each year. Great professional development can be critical to a teacher's overall development. Teachers are presented with professional development opportunities that span a variety of topics throughout each year.
Great teachers recognize their weaknesses and attend professional development workshops / conferences to improve these areas. Many teachers spend a portion of their summer attending professional development workshops / conferences. Workshops / conferences also provide teachers with invaluable networking opportunities They can further enhance your growth and overall improvement.