Don’t Let the Perfect Teacher Make You Feel Bad
Posted by Barb on January 27, 2010
There is one in ever school, a teacher who has put herself on a pedestal. She has a reputation for being an outstanding teacher. You’ve heard her classroom is well organized and color coded. She seems friendly enough, but at the same time she scares the crap out of you. You realize that you are not like her. Your classroom is not as well organized nor color coded. Your students move around your classroom, while her students seem to sit quietly with perfect posture. As your students walk through the halls in their haphazard, semi straight line, this perfect teacher smiles politely as she strolls past you and you know she’s thinking, “Oh, this poor teacher has so much to learn.”
Well, I’m here to tell you to relax. Here are three tips to keep in mind as you journey through your teaching career.
Don’t beat yourself up. There is much to learn and lots of it will be through experience. Over time you will learn what management style works for you, and there is a good chance that it will be different than little miss perfect’s.
Listen to the little voice in your head. Your mind is a busy place. It is constantly making comparisons, judgements, and decisions. Be conscious of that voice because it is probably telling you something important; whether or not your students are understanding your lesson, to speed up or slow down your lesson, or maybe even to ditch it completely!
Keep your eyes and mind open. Look inside all the classrooms at your school. There is probably a teacher who you can relate to better than the prefect teacher. You will feel comfortable aligning yourself with a teacher who has similar personality treats to your own. Age is not always a determining factor. Once you find a teacher who you would like to model your teaching style after, ask him/her to share some tips with you. Keep it informal and take way those ideas that will work for you.
I guess what I’m trying to say is, you went into the teaching profession because you wanted to help young people learn. Don’t loose sight of that goal. Keep in mind that it takes time and experience to become a great teacher. You will find your own style that will lead to your. THEN you will become your own version of the perfect teacher!
candy said,
Oh my goodness! Brilliant idea! The best way to learn is working with and listening to great teachers….and NOT being intimidated by them!!!
I was lucky enough to teacher with the best of the best ( you are included in that group) ….and learned something every time I worked or talked to or asked for advice from some one who had something to offer ( even if I chose to do it differently, I had a heads up and a direction)
Love your brilliant idea…hope this is a smashing success—I will send it along to all my teacher friends!
(^_*)
Sonja said,
I loved it …. What a great way to confirm the self questions of a new AND experienced teacher! I can relate as a trainer with other trainers…. But it was refreshing to hear this in the teaching industry.
It no doubt will enlighten a teacher who is perhaps being to tough on her/himself….. and will encourage them to be true to their teaching skills….
Fabulous Barb!
Signed,
Little Miss Not Perfect… Sonja
Kira said,
Awesome points, Barb. In my first year, I see all kinds of teachers who seem to have it together a lot more than I do. Prettier rooms, better “stuff” and they aren’t at school until 5 or 6 like I am. I console myself by remembering that I got a key and an empty room, and it must take years to have it all figured out and accumulate all that color-coordinated decor!
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