Developing Teaching Styles Crystal Lake IL

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The first time I ever taught full-time, I began the year with no student-teaching experience and no real background in education. It was sort of a baptism by fire. Thankfully, I had a lot of teachers in my family and in my school to help me become better at the job as time went on. I recognized that first year that every teacher has his or her own style. I realized I could take something away from each of those styles. Here's a few things I pass on as advice to those trying to learn from the different teaching styles around them:

1. Be open-minded. When I started teaching, I was a blank slate. I was also nervous and knew I had a lot to learn. These things worked to my advantage as they made me receptive to help. Even without formal training in teaching, I still had ideas I wanted to try, but I know that being open to suggestions was one key to actually learning from people with more experience. So that is a good place to start. Unsolicited advice can be a pain, especially if it's delivered the wrong way, but if you're new, take advice into consideration, and be willing to try new things. And by all means: Ask questions!
   
   
2. Honestly appraise your weaknesses and strengths. You may be great at creating group projects, not so hot at managing the small groups. You may have a way with high-achieving kids but not know how to handle learners who need more help. Another key to learning from teaching styles around you is to know what it is you need help with. I am disorganized, so my sister's advice--get folders--was maybe the best thing anyone ever told me. And yes, even when we're strong in an area, we can benefit from considering a new approach. But if there are things in your teaching repertoire that aren't broke, you don't need to start with fixing them. Instead, look at what you need help with and see what works for your colleagues. Also knowing what your natural abilities are makes it easier to decide what strategies work best for you.
   
   For example, I had a degree in film, so when teachers suggested using film to get certain things across to students, it worked for me. When I heard about other teachers' ideas for letter-writing, journaling, and other literary-related projects, I said, "Hey, I can handle that." I also am not very good at disciplining by nature, so teachers who had a gung-ho discipline style were not as useful to me as teachers whose style involved staying low-key while implementing a structured set of rules. Know what your gifts and your personality type are and look for strategies that complement those gifts and that personality. Like we tell our kids: Don't try to be something you're not.
   
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Author: B. Danesco