Random thoughts on a Sunday...

Rules for teachers (aka rules for me)- in no particular order

Here are my top 10 rules for teachers, (or rather, rules for myself). 

While I have listed them from 1-10, I have not ranked them in that order. These 10  are all equally important to me.

Reminding myself of this list and revamping it for 2012, has inspired me to do better in some areas of my top 10. I guess it is like a set of goals for 2012: my New Year's Teacher Resolution.

Do you have your own top 10? 

What would you add and/or delete from my list?

What do you agree or disagree with?

You don't have to be a teacher... what are you top 10 rules for Life?

1. Don't bribe students to do their work or to behave with external rewards. We don't need more people in this world who expect to get something because they did what was expected. Teach students that doing quality work gives an internal reward or satisfaction. This is harder but much better for the long term. Sure give praise when it is due but base praise on effort, the process of learning too and not just the end result. Feedback and praise and constructive criticism are equally important. Don't protect students from the consequences they deserve, both positive and negative. Never underestimate the power a smile will have on another person. Be that teacher who smiles freely and often at students.

2. Be prepared to say sorry if you make a mistake. Admitting a mistake and apologizing earnestly builds trust, which is so vital for a great teacher-student relationship. I so appreciate when someone says sorry.

3. Be willing to be flexible and read the mood of the students. Don't push your agenda when there is something bigger happening. This shows understanding and compassion and the students will appreciate and respect you for that.

4. We prepared to negotiate. Know what your deal breakers are and stick to these things. If you learn to negotiate on some issues, you will teach students also how to negotiate and you will avoid confrontation and conflict. Students will learn not to sweat the small stuff by being allowed to have some sense of control over their schooling. Be up front with your communication in this with students.

5. Understand that teachers must be prepared to learn themselves and update. What you did 5, 2 or even 1 year ago may not be relevant anymore. Teachers must continually update their knowledge and know what is best educational practice globally. Don't get stuck with tunnel vision in your small part of the world. To quote Kevin Honeycutt, "What have you done for me lately?"

6. Don't complain about reporting to parents. Duh, it's our job, so do it really well, not at the last minute with the bare minimum of effort. Your name will be a part of that child's educational history. Your name is on the work you do in your reporting. Make sure you are proud of the specific and individual feedback/report you give. Don't cut and paste generic comments into your reports. Challenge yourself to write a new, individual and unique report for every student. After all, every child is unique and an individual. The reports you write say a lot about you as a professional and it says a lot about teachers as professionals.

7. Treat students as real people. Greet them, talk to them about their lives. Don't ever forget for a second that relationships with students are THE single most important factor in teaching.

8. Don't just define success as the results students get. Focus on the growth and journey students go on- this is success! Celebrate the success in the results, but don't pretend for one second this is the most important thing in this child's life or development. Who they are as people and the earnest work along the way is what makes people feel truly successful in the long term.

9. Be organized and clear in your expectations of students. There is nothing worse for us than an inconsistent friend or boss- think what it's like then for students with an inconsistent teacher. Yikes. Students often have so little power at school. Give them the ability to know what you expect of them.

10. Show your students you are balanced by having a sense of humor, hobbies, interests and passions outside of school life. Students need role models of balance in their lives. So practice being balanced physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.  Share your life with students... not all of it, guard some privacy, but let students in a little to the secret that you are a real person with a real life.