Society is always in a state of flux and development. But the rate of social change has accelerated over the last hundred years, thanks to technological advances and increasing connectivity. These social changes are reflected in every field, and perhaps nowhere more so than in education, where teachers are surrounded by the next generation.
In the last few years, education has been changing more quickly than ever. Online teaching, blended learning, flipped classrooms and educational technology are just some examples of new approaches to education.
It’s impossible to predict what the next big advancement will be. So, in a rapidly changing world like ours, how can we make sure that we are evolving in order to meet our students’ needs?
Keep listening
When it comes to the teacher–student relationship, emotional connection is an important factor in your students’ academic success. Research has shown that students who have a good relationship with their teachers have a higher motivation to learn.
So how can you build this connection with your students? One of the most powerful ways to connect with your learners is to listen to them. Respect and engage with their concerns, whether that’s climate change or gender politics. Celebrate their wins, whether personal or academic, and support them through challenges.
The pandemic has been a difficult time for many students, so it’s more important than ever to approach your student relationships with compassion and understanding. Students around the world are suffering from anxiety and stress. So, the ability to listen and build strong connections will be crucial in this next year.
Read about promoting kindness in your classroom.
Keep learning
The best educators balance teaching with their own personal learning. As we’ve seen in the last few years, the educational landscape is changing at a dizzying rate. Your teaching skills will need to evolve along with the profession. After all, if you don’t keep up, you might get left behind.
The good news? As a teacher, you already know all about the importance of continuous learning. You already understand the growth mindset, so you’re well placed to apply these philosophies and approaches to your own professional development.
Think about where you’d like to hone your teaching skills, or expand your knowledge. Is there a more experienced colleague you can learn from? Maybe there’s a new technology you’d like to use in class. Are one of your colleagues using it already? Or is it something that your students could offer guidance on? Meeting learning challenges with enthusiasm will be crucial in the next year.
Read more about embedding a growth mindset in your classroom.
Maintain a long term vision
In teaching, there are so many deadlines and standards to meet on a weekly basis. Sometimes, it can feel like just as you complete one deadline, it’s on to the next project. But in order to prepare students for the future, it’s important to step back and take in the larger perspective.
Educating the next generation is an enormous task. It’s not just about getting your students through the next exam or hitting the next target. Your job is to instil in your students a curiosity about the world, and give them the skills they’ll need to navigate a changing future. So, make time to follow your students’ questions and interests, and make sure you keep your own teaching practice creative in order to inspire a love of learning in your students.
Read how to make your teaching practice more creative.
Prioritise self care
It’s all too easy to feel overwhelmed and burnt out with the pressures of teaching, let alone the constant pressure to adapt and stay up to date with the latest educational trends.
But in order to stay attuned to the latest changes, you need to be in the learning zone – inquisitive, relaxed and aware. Stress affects how much you’re able to learn and remember. Worse, burnout will have a detrimental impact on how you connect with your students. So, it’s important to make time for self care in your weekly routine.
Self care looks different for everyone. It could be going to the gym, or cooking a new recipe, or simply making time for 30 minutes of reading at bedtime. No matter what your own version of self care looks like, make sure you prioritise it. In a demanding job like teaching, self care isn’t an indulgence – it’s a necessity.
Learn how to practise mindfulness.
Further reading
The Pearson International Schools blog tackles the big current issues in education. Whether it’s the debate over homework, the importance of diversity on reading lists or how to teach students about the climate crisis, you’ll always find informed opinion and reasoned debate on our blog.
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Photo by Hatice Yardım on Unsplash
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