The ABC's High School Teachers Really Need to Know

Effective teachers realize that underperformance is easier than putting the effort in to find success - this is the magnet at the bottom.  This magnet affects your classroom in a big way.  Start developing a "+1 mentality" and help your students develop both motivation and academic stamina.  

In the heat of conflict between students or with you, it's important to ask yourself a critical question before speaking or acting.  This practice is a major component of effective classroom (and life) management.  In this episode, we will discuss that question and so much more.  

Many teachers struggle with classroom management, despite their efforts to create and enforce policies and procedures.  Effective teachers know that if you focus on the people more than structure, the classroom management will almost certainly follow.  

Changing jobs or roles can be challenging.  However, effective teachers know that sometimes we have to do one or both to better serve our students.  As we grow personally and professionally, we often have to choose change - that's what being a lifelong learner is all about.  

Effective teachers know that intelligence is not the same as experience.  Neither is superior, but differentiating the two is crucial to building and managing your process.  

Effective teachers run counter to the notion that some students are just "hardened criminals" with a history of underperformance and bad behavior.  We focus on being a supporter, challenger, and champion for all.  Whether self-created or not, many students become victims of hardened circumstances.  Effective teaches focus on helping them rise.  

Effective teachers know that group work can be a powerful tool, or completely undermine your learning objectives, depending on how you use it.  This episode discusses the only two scenarios group work should be used, and more importantly, how to gauge its use in achieving learning objectives.  

The future happens each and every day.  What we invest in our students (and ourselves) on a daily basis helps develop what tomorrow will look like.  Each day absolutely matters.  That shouldn't be a burden, but instead an opportunity.  Make the most of it!

There is a barrage of tools and talking heads ready to evaluate us, observe us, and tell us we aren't good enough.  Don't get lost or overwhelmed by all the noise.  Instead, live by the "Golden Rules" of teaching and learn to self-evaluate.  When you do those things, you actually generate a meaningful measure of effectiveness.  

Effective teachers know that delivering on your promises to students, parents, teachers, and administrators is key to a successful career in education.  The actions that we take and the words that we say make all the difference in the world, particularly to those we want to impact most - our students.  

Effective teachers know that there are common elements in every powerful lesson.  In this episode, we will talk about them.  Also, we will discuss example lessons that illustrate and utilize these elements.  

Please take the time to listen to this week's episode.  Do it for YOU!  Effective teachers know that learning to bandage our wounds will lead to both better student outcomes and increased professional longevity.  Letting things go, establishing a healthy perspective, and focusing on the victories will move the needle for you, your career, and your effectiveness.  

If you had to sum up your impact in the classroom in one sentence, what would it say?  How similar would it be to the sentence your kids would write?  Effective teachers strive to make a positive difference.  They also realize that being remembered for that impact is far more important than being remembered as a person.