#8 Simple ways to make your teaching interesting.

 

“Those that know do

Those that understand teach.”-Aristotle.

 

As teachers our path is to guide. This line has been said many times.

Well, I am not writing this blog to motivate you or anyone else. My purpose today is to make the teaching learning process more meaningful and approachable by demonstrating that it is possible to get good results by taking a few mindful steps.

Teaching is a profession just like any other job in the world. What makes it different is that we are dealing with the next generation. So, we have to make a difference today to ensure a positive change in tomorrow’s world.

 

#1 Develop the art of story telling

All the business houses and start-ups are turning to story-telling to create an impact. From Amazon to Flipkart, the executives are trying to make sense by putting the numbers and mind-boggling figures into an interesting story.

They are using diction, tone, intonation, accents, dialects, etc. to make an impact with their stories to help them get that contract, or funding or to put their company on top.

Then why are teachers not using this basic skill in their classroom where this art was actually born?

We teachers actually have a copyright of this activity.

Story telling can be used to create and leave an impact on the child’s mind. This impact is termed as ‘learning value’ in the education jargon. This is one of the handiest of the tools but which is not used by most teachers. It is just because they feel that the lecture method which is ever prevalent is the best method of all.

 

Drop everything and practise storytelling to make the most of your time in the classroom and allow the best of the learning to happen.

 

#2 Note down your classroom victories

Each day teachers return home with a bundle of frustrations. They wait for their bosses to appreciate, or notice. Mostly it doesn’t happen because everyone is occupied with work and their own struggles and victories.

 

A teacher should go home, and note down all the victories of the day in a journal.

But honestly speaking, ‘What are victories of teachers?’

 

You listened to a story patiently.

You patted a back.

You allowed someone to share the tiffin.

You answered a parent’s call and gave a satisfactory answer.

You taught a particular topic very well.

All the students were smiling or were happy during your class.

The students raised or put up some amazing and difficult questions.

You assisted your colleague to complete the attendance work.

You lent a red pen to a teacher who needed to complete the corrections on time.

You just showed kindness by speaking gently and softly with the support staff.

 

The list is endless. Teachers, go on and record your victories.  

Celebrate you success everyday!

 

#3 Be determined to teach

Planning seems very good on paper. When you start implementing it, you see roadblocks, you feel tired, you forget to carry teaching aids, etc.

Many things come in the way of executing a plan. Just remember that plan well but execute it even better. Mere planning will not bring the results. Or it will not complete the syllabus on time. But proactiveness in acting out the plan will make everyone happy.

Don’t mind the noise, neither the disturbances or the fluctuating power, or the maid who comes with a circular, or the teacher who wants to ask you something at that particular time, or the noisy rain, or the grime and the sweat or the chill of the winters…

Just teach!

#4 Build a relationship

Invest the initial classes at the beginning of the year in building a relationship with the students. Never be in a hurry to teach. Your priority should be to have a relationship with your students. A good relationship will ensure that you are able to teach each and every concept with ease.

 

#5 Mindfulness

Be mindful of the emotions and the experiences which the students are going through. Look them in the eye. Talk to them. Listen to them. Give them solutions for their problems. Hear them out. Be patient. Pay attention to the details. Question, investigate if a child is sitting with a sullen face or is not in the mood.

Appreciate and praise if someone has drawn something or is looking up to you for a nod which says, ‘yes you have done it well’.

 

In short, BE MINDFUL in the classroom.

You can pay attention to all of the above only if you are mindful.

If you get pre occupied with a lot of records which are to be done, or to be submitted, or your own workload which seems boggling, you cannot be mindful in the present times.

 

You will miss out on the important emotions, feelings, achievements, failures, disappointments or wins of your students.

Grab them all-BE MINDFUL.

 

#6 Observe your peers:

If all the roads seemed blocked, then open your eyes and ears and go into the observation mode.

Yes, you heard it right. Stop working and just observe your peers. You will learn new way to do the same old things. You will learn smarter ways from your colleagues. Because most of them are working well ahead of their deadlines.

Everyone has a way of managing and organising their work. If you feel that you are not able to meet the demands of the profession, do observe how one your colleague who finishes his work fast and quickly is managing.

What are the skills and techniques that the teacher is using?

Now introspect and try to adopt some of the good techniques that you saw or spotted among the other teachers.

Go ahead-COPY AND PASTE.

#7 Enter with a smile

This one is pretty cool and simple. It is in your hands. It is just a thought that you have to carry. Just be mindful when you are in class. Wear that smile come what may. Don’t forget it. be kind to yourself and the class.

Enter the classroom with a smile.

 

#8 High energy level

Teachers or employees who keep up their energy during the day are happier than the other lot. It goes without saying that they are more productive.

The students also respond well to someone who speaks loudly and clearly rather than the one who finds it difficult to even raise a finger to complete the work.

Eat, munch, crunch, crush or move some muscles.

Do whatever it takes to carry a happy self to your workplace.

Nothing will work if you are an unhappy or dejected soul.

 

13 Pieces of Advice I’d give my younger self as a newbie teacher.

As expected from any newbie teacher, I was absolutely inexperienced and clueless about what teaching was.

My perceptions about the profession on day one were as given under-

➡️ I am supposed to teach through a textbook. Give question and answers and generate good results.

➡️I will be getting sufficient holidays so I can spend enough time with my family.

➡️ Throughout my life I will be teaching students and then retire at an appropriate age.

➡️ I have to listen to an abide the senior teachers in the school until I become a senior myself.

➡️ I am expected to reach school on time and leave school when it is off. This means that my work gets over when I reach home.

Within a few days, all of the above crashed like glass and I had set new goals and boundaries for myself in the Profession.

The memories of my initial thoughts were crystal clear and I they rushed back to me at one go. I didn't even think of editing them before publishing them.

During the initial couple of days I never thought of-

-Growing on the professional ladder

-Having an aim to reach a position

-Teacher student relationship and its impact on learning

-Experimenting and innovating to teach in a better manner.

-Creating and leaving an impact on society.

On my third day when I entered the school campus as a teacher, revolutionary thoughts swept me away in a storm. It was like a new professional side of me was exposed after layers of misperception got eroded away by interacting with some veterans of the profession.

I still remember someone cleared the concept and functioning of a Director and a principal. 

That was really a very naiive and vulnerable me in the profession.

Then started a fruitful and a meaningful journey which is filled with memories and experiences. I am proud of them and really like living them again and again. So while I was reminiscing and introspecting I came up with these  points which will be very useful to every teacher who enters this profession.

1 Managing Time: As I was too inspired to work as a teacher, when I joined the profession, I was totally focused towards working. There was too much that I wanted to do and so time seemed very little. Also my organisation skills were not so well developed.

It is very important to manage time between your profession and passion. To do lists help a lot in this regards. Writing about long term and short term goals also help in organising tasks and managing time.

2. Limited Research: Educators research for teaching ideas and ideas for worksheets. 

But Google overwhelms you with options and you get carried away because of the vastness and magnitude. I used to spend a lot of time in researching because it helped me to come up with new and creative ideas. I used to download images and articles in bulk for current and future use.

Mostly those articles were never read because of shortage of time or forgetfulness. If you do not put an idea to use, it gets wasted. So I believe limiting research time on internet is very important.

One should know the extent of research that is required for a given project or task at hand. Otherwise we  waste time.

3. Sticking to a to-do List Before Hitting the Internet: This is the best advice that I have given myself and have been following it in the past years.

Internet can turn into a bottomless crevice if you are not careful.

Internet is a great tool to be used by the teacher but remember it is not the only tool.

A lot of planning and then implementation is required in teaching. So spending a lot of time on internet does not really help in this profession. Prepare a list before you switch on the internet. Complete the tasks and switch it off. 

It prevents you from falling a pretty to digital fatigue and reduces your screen time.

4. Writing and Editing Skills: I was a creative person and was inclined towards writing. But the quantum of written work was very less. I wrote a 500 words article in a month or so. Now I write almost 2000 words everyday.

Editing goes hand in hand with writing full stop in those days I almost never edited what I wrote thinking that my thoughts and words fit perfectly like jigsaw pieces. Every educator must write at least one thousand words everyday and edit those articles also.

These can be published in the form of blogs, articles on LinkedIn or medium.com or answers two questions on quora.com.

5. High Level of Energy: It is always good to stay on a high horse. On some days I used to be highly motivated and hence my energy level would be high. But on some other days I would drag myself to work trying to find motivation.

Remember-

Action does not follow motivation.

Motivation follows action.

Keep doing your work and keep yourself in motion. Motivation will always be there behind you.

6 Rewards of Networking: When we work in an organisation, we generally  tend to get along with our colleagues. Contacts beyond that are very rare.

Networking means connecting with new people and maintaining a connect until it develops into a good relationship.

Most of us do connect with different people but regularity in maintaining the relationship goes missing.

Good networking skills result into

-good opportunities

-good friends

-popularizing your skills

-spreading and gaining knowledge

7 Public Speaking and Communication Skills:  A teacher needs to be a very fluent and a confident speaker. Teaching in a classroom is different from speaking on stage. Every educator must develop his or her own public speaking skills.

Public speaking has become one of the most sought after skills in the professional world. With people turning more towards videos now public speaking has taken a firm ground. Everyone who enters any profession must be an expert and a confident person as far as speaking in public is concerned.

8 Exercise and Meditation:  Exercise and meditation are a priority. Exercise keeps you physically active and meditation helps you to stay mentally agile. Even if one is missing it will be difficult to maintain a balance in professional life.

Everyday a 40 minute exercise routine is a must. There are  too many options available online. But it is better to stick to a specific exercise routine. Each exercise should be done in sets of 10s 20s or 30s or whatever you are comfortable with.

Some stretching exercises are equally good and beneficial. They are less stressful physically. So if you want to start something simple you can do so with Surya namaskar.

Meditation calms the mind. The flow of thoughts become very natural during meditation. I read a quote somewhere and it immediately resonated with my thoughts-

“If the ocean can calm itself then why not you. Both have water and salt mixed in their bodies.”

With exercise and meditation focus stays on the path and professional growth becomes easier.

9 Healthy Diet: For most of us food intake takes a backseat when work is concerned. If you have not organised your time well, then you think of skipping meals to complete work.

One should also be mindful while eating food. Research proves that the nutrients are absorbed well by the body if we are mindful of the food we eat. During my career I have seen educator's coming to school without breakfast.

 The two hours of the morning in a school are very important time.

They are also full of activity which requires everyone to be on their toes. Prayer and assembly time is generally packed with a lot of things happening on stage and off stage. 

Students also turn up to school without eating anything and quite a few fall down unconscious. We are all aware of this happening in the school. 

If the teacher arrives with food in the stomach he she can take care of children and handle them better.

If a teacher comes to school with an empty stomach her only focus is to find time to eat something. So make it a golden rule to never leave the house without putting something stuffy in your stomach.

10 Learning Disabilities and Behaviour Issues: A large chunk of learning is achieved by understanding the psychology of the students.  There are many concerns among the students related to learning disabilities and behaviour issues. 

Research papers and blogs are available on the internet. Every teacher must read these to understand the issues and concerns revolving around children. I often say that behaviour is a reflection of the anxiety that the child is feeling or going through. Behaviour changes or improves when the troubling issue is tackled or dealt with properly.

Experience teaches us a lot but awareness equips you with tools to deal with the situation. Knowing the psychological concerns of the children will help the teachers to control the threatening triggers which cause behaviour problems.

Teaching and learning is more of a psychological process. Hence teachers must self educate themselves on these topics. The school counsellor is also of great help. Case studies of issues with children and how teachers dealt with them are also available on the Internet and they can throw light on many aspects.

Caution: Do not try to see the problems which you have read among your students. Take expert advice before jumping to a conclusion.

11 Be a Good Listener: Some of the educators are in a hyperactive mode expressing an ‘I Know It all attitude'. It is good to be well versed about the needs of the profession. But nothing can be compared to practical experience. The people who are already in the organisation are thoroughbreds as far as the working of the organisation is concerned

These veterans of the profession often giveaway titbits related to the profession and they must be considered as useful handy hints. To understand the value of these gems one needs to be a good listener.

There are many advantages of being a good listener. You become aware of certain systems which are an integral part of the organisation. There are deadlines for many of these systems. There are submissions to be done. you will be able to foresee all of these and be better prepared to deliver the submission on time.

12 The Art of Saying NO:

If you set your priorities you will know  which projects you should take as a leader and where you should act as an assistant. Everything cannot be done by a person.

Apart from individual work a teacher is expected to assist and be part of group projects. Group projects between staff members need collaboration and coordination. Hence it requires time and creativity. So it is always advisable to join in projects which cover your areas of interest and say a subtle NO to the ones which are out of your interest area.

13 Define Limits as far as Self Learning is Concerned:

'Learning is a lifelong journey' This statement has been viral since the pandemic started.  Everyone is running after certification programs and trying to score a point above everyone else. Too much learning does not result into proper actions and hence the result is not a productive one. It is good to take up a skill or two but not more than that.

Find ways to implement the knowledge that you already have. Experiment with ideas. 

Perform, then fail, then learn from your failure and perform again

Take honest and crucial feedback upon the work that you are doing. Do not be afraid of the criticism that you receive. Pick up the points which are relevant and push yourself on the path again

These are some of the points which I have picked after a thoughtful deliberation

 They can add a lot of value to the educators who are aiming to start their professional career as a school teacher.