What Makes a Master Teacher #Podcast
When I first started blogging, I wrote a post titled “What Makes a Master Teacher.” The fallacy of the title is that being a “master teacher” is about being in perpetual beta mode and growing as a learner and educator. No matter how good you are at teaching, there will always be areas of growth. In this podcast, I revisit the post and look at what I shared and discuss these ideas in context today.
You can check out the podcast and/or read the article below.
What Makes a Master Teacher (Podcast on iTunes) | SoundCloud
The term “master teacher” seems to get thrown around a lot, but is something that many educators aspire to be. In my ten years in the field of education, I would say that the definition of “master teacher” has definitely changed. When I think of a master teacher, here are the qualities that I would suggest they have:
1. Connects with kids first -For all students to excel, teachers must learn about them and connect with each child. This is not just about finding out how they learn, but it is finding out who they are. We must get to know our students, discover their passions, and help them find out how we can engage them in their learning. If you are not able to do this as a teacher, the following characteristics will be moot.
2. Teaches kids first and curriculum second — Teachers must ensure that they differentiate learning and work to meet the needs of each student and understand how they each learn. I believe that students have different learning styles strengths and abilities, and if we can best figure out how to help them meet their own needs, students will excel in the subject areas we teach.
3. Ensures that they draw relevance to the curriculum — The question, “What does this have to do with real life?” is something that I would prefer never be said in a classroom. Not because it is not a legitimate question, but because teachers should show the relevance before there is an opportunity for it to be asked. As we are obligated to teach curriculum objectives outlined by our government officials, this is something that must be done. It is not always a natural part of the job, but it is something we much continuously strive to do.
Not only is it essential that we draw relevance to the subject matter of what we teach, but it is also essential that we use mediums that are relevant to how students learn. Disconnecting from devices that WE use as adults and kids use all the time the minute students walk into school is wrong.
Utilizing technology in a meaningful way opens up opportunities for students to learn in ways that didn’t necessarily have access to when we were in school.
4. Works with students to develop a love of learning — We are obligated to teach curriculum objectives. We are also obligated in our profession to help students find their spark in learning. Why do I write this blog? It is my way of connecting with others and reflecting on my learning. It is a way that I choose to share and learn with others. There is no pay or compensation that I receive from this. A master teacher will try to tap into those ways that students love to learn and build upon that. Creating that spark in each student will lead them to continued success and growth.
5. Embodies lifelong learning — A master teacher knows that they will never become the “perfect” teacher since that is unattainable. They will look at ways that they can grow along with students and develop their skills. Education and learning will always change, and a master teacher knows that they need to change with it. I have seen teachers that have proclaimed that they are master teachers but have not changed their practice in years. Growth is essential as a teacher. Society changes continuously, and so do its needs. We need thinkers in our workplace, and teachers must show that they are on the leading edge of this.
6. Focuses on learning goals as opposed to performance goals — Reading “Drive” by Dan Pink, he talks about the difference between performance and learning goals. A performance goal would be similar to having students wanting to receive an “A” in french where a learning goal would be a student wanting to become fluent in the language. Many students are smart enough that they know how to meet the objectives of a rubric and still not grow much in their learning. A master teacher sets the goals based on learning, not on receiving a grade. This type of assessment is not about understanding what a student knows and reporting on it, but it is a tool used for learning.
7. Ensures that “character education” is an essential part of learning — Character education is just as relevant, if not more so than any learning objectives set out in a curriculum. We live in a world where collaboration is vital to success, and working with others is an important skill. Working with students to teach the fundamentals of respecting others, and being able to listen and learn from others is vital. Students can have the smartest understanding of objectives but not have the ability to share these ideas with others in a respectful way or take the time to listen to other ideas. A master teacher ensures that students not only grow mentally in class but also emotionally.
8. Passionate about the content they teach — If a teacher works in the area of math and LOVES the subject area, that passion will spill over to the students they serve. As an administrator, I work hard to help teachers work in subject areas that they are passionate about because I believe that enthusiasm is infectious. A master teacher shares their passion and enthusiasm with those they work. However, if you are a teacher in an area that you do not “love,” you must find ways to spark that passion for yourself.
(UPDATE: Reading through the comments of the original post, I feel that I had to add a couple of characteristics to my list.)
9. A master teacher is a “school teacher” — I often talk with people about the difference between a classroom teacher versus a “school teacher.” A master teacher must not only impact the learning environments of the class that they work with but that they also have an impact on the school culture. This can happen in sharing their passion through extracurricular activities or their knowledge of strong teaching strategies with school colleagues. Teachers mustn’t just build connections with students that they teach now, but with students, they had in the past or may have in the future. It is great to see teachers that connect with kids that they do not teach at the time leading to enthusiasm for that student to one day be in that very same teacher’s class.
10. Strong communication skills it is important that teachers can communicate with the students they teach, but what about their colleagues and parents? Sharing knowledge, back and forth with colleagues is essential to the growth of the individual as well as the collective. These skills must be continuously developed. It is also imperative that you can communicate effectively with parents as they have great insights on how their child learns best. I have learned more and more as an educator, the valuable learning that can come from communicating with parents, and how important they are to the development of the school and class culture. A master teacher will effectively draw upon this knowledge.
As I stated at the beginning, the notion of “master teacher” will be a continuous and movable target. Teaching and learning will always evolve, and to truly excel at the profession, we must always be willing to develop ourselves.
