Teaching Tip Tuesday: Teacher's Toolbox for Modern Teachers



    A recent article in the Washington Post stated the average U.S. student will take over one hundred standardized tests by the time they finish high school, with eighth graders having the most testing required of them in a single year with more than 25 hours of testing. With so much time spent preparing for these tests, it's often a struggle for teachers to fulfill the needs of diverse classrooms within the narrow and specific curriculum they must follow.

    Of course there is no magic cure-all, but below are a list of the most important skills that teachers will use to succeed in today's classrooms.
  1. Collaboration Online: Whether it’s creating and sharing a YouTube video of a classroom experiment or using another educator’s blog to teach the fundamentals of geometry, teachers can work together around the U.S. to teach more effectively and gain peer support.
  2. Adaptability: From changing an exercise for a larger classroom to changing lesson plans based on the new testing requirements, modern teachers need to be nimble to adapt to the ever-shifting education environment. This skill is critical for keeping up with new learning styles as well.
  3. Time Management: With teachers having to cover more materials and and take on more responsibility, it’s critical to use every minute efficiently. Planning for breaks as well as lessons can help classrooms stay on schedule consistently.
  4. Tech Fundamentals: Learning how to search the web effectively is a great way for educators to find the best results.
  5. Patience: Patience has been critical for educators from the beginning of time, but it’s never been more important than in today's time.
  6. Team Work: When class sizes are large and resources scarce, it’s important for teachers to work with each other. Educators throughout the school or across the web can work together to get better results in their own classrooms.
  7. Organization: Organizing everything from digital lesson plan files to physical classroom materials will always pay off in the long run.
  8. Creativity: Just because many schools have greater curriculum restrictions doesn’t mean that teachers can’t still have fun with it. Students will appreciate creative ways to prepare for their exams that meet multiple learning styles at once.
  9. Constant Learning: Teachers can use the numerous online resources for educators to stay up on the newest trends in their field.
  10. Healthy Parent Communication: Whether it's the school websites, a Remind account, or an email, parents and teachers have a more open line of communication than ever before. Educators should be sure to have a plan with the school for healthy communication policies.

Comments