This week, many new teachers began their teaching careers by first, becoming introduced to their school districts and their expectations and policies. Teachers are provided training on professionalism, technology and many other key components of becoming an effective educator. In my district, I have had the honor of presenting on many of these topics over the past few years at these induction meetings. This year, I had the opportunity to share "Why I Teach" with these beginning educators. I chose to use Robin Sharma's Rules for Being Amazing to outline how my parents were amazing examples for me that led to be amazing for those students who do not have those type of role models to inspire, motivate, and invest in them. Here's just a small piece of what I shared:
Robin Sharma, a #1 bestselling author of "The Leader Who Had No Title", is well-known for his Rules for Being Amazing. I first heard of these rules from my friend, Ann Marie Taylor, who spoke at a state teachers conference.
Sharma's quote registers 29 verbs that anyone can reflect and implement into their lives. I have chosen just 5 of those for today's post as challenges for me to think about how I operate each day professionally this upcoming school year.
1. Love- Love your students. This is different depending on each teacher. For me, especially being a male in elementary, love means building intentionally positive relationships through small actions such as playing football at recess. Nicolas Ferroni says "Students who are loved at home, come to school to learn. Students who aren't come to school to be loved." Love your profession. What other profession can say that they teach all other professions? Our job is so important and not just anyone can do it. Many think they can and may even belittle the profession. It's our duty to speak positively and when asked what we do, we say, "I am a teacher! And I love what I do!" It's these small phrases and beliefs that make us amazing for both our students and profession.
2. Deliver More Than Is Needed- The first days of school, teachers are given duty schedules, the committees they are expected to commit to, and many other day-to-day responsibilities. For one, just being hired is filling a need for a teaching position. But to deliver more than just what is needed means finding ways to make that duty or position something that doesn't just meet the need, but exceeds it. It takes absolutely no talent to smile while doing tedious, yet mindless tasks. Here are some more talent-less skills that are qualities of amazing individuals:
3. Inspire Others By Your Bigness: As mentioned earlier, to be a teacher is a BIG deal! When students walk into a teacher's classroom for the first time, seeing their teacher for the first time can create many emotions that prove a teacher's bigness. But simply being "big" is not enough in order to be amazing. Inspiring others through your bigness requires following what I call, wearing the CAP. C stands for Consistency. Who you are is the easiest person to be. Don't try to be the teacher down the hall or even your mentor. My cooperating teacher while I was student teaching was loud and bubbly. Me? I am fairly quiet and reserved. I could not be her even if I tried and thankfully I don't have to be.
I couldn't think of an "A" word to go with CAP so A stands for "And" (Mind Blown!)
P stands for Persistence. Teachers who inspire continue even when faced with trials and troubles. Students and parents will test patience and when you believe in what you're doing is right and can work means being persistent.
4. Transcend Your Fears- All of us have fears. After 6 years of teaching third grade, I have become accustomed to a high-pitched squeal that occasionally is heard on my hallway. That scream is in response a colleague encountering a spider in their classroom. It's that scream that has immediately required my attention and help to take care of that pest. What my colleagues do not know is that I, too, am afraid of spiders. My fear is not eliminated, I have transcended it, or moved past it. Most individuals, educators included, are most afraid of FAILURE. They fear trying something new and then experiencing the embarrassment. Amazing people transcend, not eliminate, their fears.
5. Act Now, Don't Stop- To be an amazing educator is not an 11-year plan. It's possible to be amazing right now! The key is when you start. Begin developing your mindset with each conversation, new relationship, or any current perspective. Be amazing because someone needs you to be! Many of you had/have people who have impacted you whether it's a teacher, coach, parent, or friend. They were amazing to you. You know who they are. Our students may not have anyone to be amazing to them. It's up to us to be their Amazing!
So I ask you, Why Do You Teach?
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