From: http://mpricemitchell.visibli.com/share/XL4xjZ
(George Couros Twitter account)
On April 24, 2010, in Embodying Visionary
Leadership, Leading a Learning
Community, Uncategorized, by gcouros
The term “master teacher”
seems to get thrown around a lot, but is something that many educators aspire
to be. In my ten years in the field of education, I would say that the
definition of “master teacher” has definitely changed. When I think of a master
teacher, here are the qualities that I would suggest they have:
1. Connects with kids first -For all students to excel, teachers must learn about them and connect with
each child. This is not just about finding out how they learn, but it is
finding out who they are. It is essential that we get to know our students,
learn their passions, and help them find out how we can engage them in their
own learning. If you are not able to do this as a teacher, the following
characteristics will be moot,
2. Teaches kids first and
curriculum second – Teachers must ensure
that they differentiate learning and work to meet the needs of each student and
understand how they each learn. I believe that students have different learning
styles and if we can best figure out how to help them meet their own needs,
students will excel in the subject areas we teach.
3. Ensures that they draw
relevance to curriculum – The question, “What does
this have to do with real life?”, is something that I would prefer never be
said in a classroom. Not because it is not a legitimate question, but because
teachers should show the relevance before there is an opportunity for it to be
asked. As we are obligated to teach curriculum objectives outlined by our
government officials, this is something that must be done. It is not always an
easy part of the job but it is something we much continuously strive to do.
Not only is it essential
that we draw relevance to the subject matter of what we teach, but it is also
essential that we use mediums that are relevant to how students learn.
Disconnecting from devices that WE use as adults and kids use all the time the
minute students walk into school is wrong. A master teachers knows that it is
essential to use technology in the classroom to enhance learning in a way that
is relevant to students.
4. Works with students to
develop a love of learning – We are obligated to
teach curriculum objectives but we are also obligated in our profession to help
students find their own spark in learning. Why do I write this blog? It is my
way of connecting with others and reflecting on my own learning. It is a way
that I choose to share and learn with others. There is no pay or compensation
that I receive from this. A master teacher will try to tap into those ways that
students love to learn and build upon that. Creating that spark in each student
will lead them to continued success and growth.
5. Embodies lifelong
learning – A master teacher knows
that they will never become the “perfect” teacher since that is unattainable.
They will look at ways that they can grow along with students and develop their
own skills. Education and learning will always change and a master teacher
knows that they need to change with it. I have seen teachers that have
proclaimed that they are master teachers but have not changed their practice in
years. Growth is essential as a teacher. Society changes continuously and so do
its needs. We need thinkers in our workplace and teachers must show that they
are on the leading edge of this.
6. Focuses on learning
goals as opposed to performance goals – Reading “Drive”
by Dan Pink, he talks about the difference between performance and learning
goals. A performance goal would be similar to having students wanting to
receive an “A” in french where a learning goal would be a student wanting to
become fluent in the language. Many students are smart enough that they know
how to meet the objectives of a rubric and still not grow much in their
learning. A master teacher sets the goals based on learning not on receiving a
grade. This type of assessment is not about understanding what a students knows
and reporting on it, but it is a tool used for learning.
7. Ensures that “character
education” is an essential part of learning – Character education is just as relevant, if not more so, than any
learning objectives set out in a curriculum. We live in a world where
collaboration is vital to success and working with others is an important
skill. Working with students to teach the fundamentals of respecting others and
being able to listen and learn from others is vital. Students can have the
smartest understanding of objectives but not have the ability to share these
ideas with others in a respectful way or take the time to listen to other
ideas. A master teacher ensures that students not only grow mentally in class,
but also emotionally.
8. Passionate about the
content they teach – If a teacher works in
the area of math and LOVES the subject area, that passion will spill over to
the students he/she works with. As an administrator, I work hard to help
teachers work in subject areas that they are passionate about because I believe
that enthusiasm is infectious. A master teacher shares their passion and
enthusiasm with those they work with. However, if you are a teacher in an area
that you do not “love”, it is important that you find ways to spark that
passion for yourself.
(UPDATE: Reading through the comments I feel that I had to add a couple
of characteristics to my list.)
9. A master teacher is a
“school teacher” - I often talk with people
about the difference between a classroom teacher versus a “school teacher”. It
is essential that a master teacher does not only impact the learning
environments of the class that they work with, but that they also have an
impact on the school culture. This can happen in sharing their passion through
extracurricular activities or their knowledge on strong teaching strategies
with school colleagues. It is important that teachers do not just build
connections with students that they teach now, but with students they had in
the past or may have in the future. It is great to see teachers that connect
with kids that they do not teach at the time leading to enthusiasm for that
student to one day be in that very same teacher’s class.
10. Strong communication
skills - Obviously it is important that teachers are
able to communicate with the students they teach, but what about their
colleagues and parents? Sharing knowledge, back and forth with colleagues is
essential to the growth of the individual as well as the collective. It is
important that these skills are continuously developed. It is also imperative
that you are able to effectively communicate with parents as they have great
insights on how their child learns best. I have learned more and more as an
educator the valuable learning that can come from communicating with parents
and how important they are to the development of the school and class culture.
A master teacher will effectively draw upon this knowledge.
These are the
characteristics that I believe make a master teacher. I definitely know that as
an administrator these are ideals as a teacher leader that I work towards
everyday and want to embody. The one thing that I do know is that my learning
is nowhere near complete and I can still grow. Learning from you, what areas do
you think I missed on this list? I would love to hear your thoughts as I
continue to grow.
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