How To Be A Great Teacher

      In "How To Be A Great Teacher, From 12 Great Teachers", wonderful educators are interviewed and they share lessons learned, powerful moments, and tips they've learned during their career in education. One quote I found insightful was from Thomas Whaley. He stated, "It takes a lot for any student, especially for a student who is learning English as their new language, to feel confident enough to say, 'I don't know, but I want to know.' " I am currently doing field experience in an ELL classroom, so I found this statement especially impactful. The ELL students I am working with are so brave and confident. It is important as a teacher that I create a safe place for students to succeed and fail; a space where they feel safe to make mistakes. Again, as I mentioned in a previous blog post, it is paramount that we focus on students' successes rather than their mistakes. Build them up, encourage them, let them know they are on the right track, and practice makes progress. 

      Another quote from the article that I enjoyed is from Tia Tsosie Begay. She said, "I want them to say, 'At least one person, Miss Begay, is there every day for me. Miss Begay is going to wonder where I am if I go missing. There will be one person looking out for me, and it's Miss Begay.' " This is the heart of why I am going into teaching. I want to be that one person for my students. I want to make sure every one of my students knows that they have at least one person in their corner rooting them on. I want them to feel safe, loved, encouraged, smart, and powerful in my classroom.
How To Be A Great Teacher, From 12 Great Teachers