Five New Year’s Resolutions for Teachers
DECEMBER 26, 2013
Looking ahead to the new year often involves taking stock of where we’re at and how we might improve – as people, and as teachers. Drawing my inspiration from the National Board’s Five Core Propositions, I offer the following suggestions for resolutions that I think would apply broadly to my teaching peers. Rest assured, these are all areas I’m working on myself, too!
Proposition 1: Teachers are committed to students and their learning.Resolution 1: Make a renewed effort to connect with students personally. Think of the students you know the least well, and make a point of engaging with them early in the new year. See what you can learn about your students that will help them engage with you and your curriculum.
Proposition 2: Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students.Resolution 2: Challenge yourself to learn something new about your subject or teaching every week. That might mean reading an extra article now and then from the professional literature available online, or making more time to read journals and books that are languishing in the “get-around-to-this-eventually” corner of your desk, classroom or office. Engage with your peers in school or online to find out what learning they’re engaged in.
Proposition 3: Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning.Resolution 3: Note that this core proposition doesn’t mention grading. Try to separate feedback from grading a bit more this year. Explore ways to grade less and respond more. Consider a move away from points and averages and towards other grading methods, anything that gets you and your