It is the role of a student to be inquisitive, curious, intrigued by new topics, ready and willing to learn, and enthusiastic about what they know or want to know. Students look up to their teacher as someone who is supposed to have all the answers. What the students don't know is that teachers themselves are in a continuous state of questioning. We question the content we teach, the abilities of our students, the management of our classrooms, and the methods we use to teach, among many other questions that arrive on a daily basis.
There are four essential questions that I ask myself at the beginning of every year and continue to ask throughout the year; What do I want my students to learn, how am I going to teach them, are there any students in need of extra help, and are there any students that are more advanced than the rest of the class?
The first question is for the most part spelled out in curriculum and content standards. However, there is always room to add to the curriculum. This can be done by adding to or strengthen the already existing abilities of the class, or possibly by adding a subject matter to the curriculum that you feel that the class would enjoy learning about.
When I ask, "How am I going to teach?" I know my methods as someone who likes independent work, repetition, whole class discussions and sharing. I know the resources that I use, and the games I like to play, but this is an area that is always going to have room to grow and evolve, and must grow, for every class is different and may not respond to the same materials and lessons that have worked in the past. Each year you have to ask yourself if you think there is anything about your style or approach that could or should be changed, and if so, how you can plan on incorporating that change into your day.
In today's world it is more-than-likely that there will be students in your class who need extra help. I am the type of teacher who is in constant motion while the students are doing their work. I am walking around checking everyone's work, and I make a point to repeatedly check on any student(s) who I feel are going to have difficulties with an assignment and help them to finish. I will also invite these students to do a short five-to-ten minute activity at the end of the day with me that emphasizes specific skills with which the students need help.
Every class has a range of abilities in its students, and getting every student to reach the goals of the curriculum and standards is and should be a priority for teachers. However, it is important not to forget the students that come into the classroom already meeting those standards. They are not to be dismissed as students you don't have to worry about simply because you know they will do well. Rather, they are to be pushed into the next level. When I see a high achiever in my class, I know right away I need to start looking for more advanced reading books, and ask them slightly harder questions during group lessons. It is important to remember that the role of a teacher is to teach, and if you're not giving these students anything new for them to learn, then you are not fulfilling your role.
A teacher should always be questioning themselves and looking for ways to improve, and in doing so they should be encouraging their students to do the best they can, to ask questions, and not be afraid of mistakes. The classroom is a place of growth in academic and personal skills. A good teacher can make a big difference in just how far every student can truly go.
