Just like every other person, I have got some fantastic memories of some incredible teachers. Throughout my school career, I have looked up to numerous people (and not only for the fact that I grew to 5'7" and then inadvertently forgot how to get any taller...) who have all played memorable parts in my life. There have also been the ones who I'd prefer to forget, but we're focussing on the positive here!
Even though my journey to teacherdom is still in its infancy, I'm really starting to understand just how much is required of a teaching professional. Today was certainly no exception; in fact I think I've learned more today than I have in quite a while!* Reflecting in groups, and personally, about what makes a great teacher was no small task...
It was hugely beneficial to think about the perceived good and bad traits from a trainee's point of view, but by no means was it the most insightful. We were able to remember our time in schools and the good points that had stuck in our minds - the friendly teachers who kept a positive atmosphere, those who always gave us a challenge, and the brilliant ones who never followed a 'robotic' method of teaching but a more human, down-to-earth style. The biggest learning curve for me today was when we were given opinions from other areas of the school, notably: seasoned teachers, NQTs, SEN staff and a group of pupils.
The seasoned teachers showed us that everyone makes mistakes, and an excellent TED talk by Sir Ken Robinson (available to watch here) gave us the idea that mistakes should be made in an ideal class. Of course, that's not to say that the mistake should be left unattended; the important part is learning from the mistakes you make, whether you're the pupil, the teacher, the head, the governor... and a little humility definitely goes a long, long way!**
The NQTs gave us a glimpse into how they found their training year. Unsurprisingly, the keywords of "tough," "difficult" and "stress" were prominent, but it was easy to tell from their positive demeanours and the job satisfaction they spoke of that the job they were now doing meant that the training was definitely worth it! They too were graduates of the School Direct programme and showed professionalism and creativity akin to that of teachers who have been in the job for years! I hope we get to feel like that this time next year =D
The SEN staff provided an insight to school life that I had never really considered, never having to interact with any SENCOs or LSAs during my time in education. This was my first of two shocks during the day. They told us of how important it was to be emotionally aware of what was going on, not only as a classroom dynamic, but for each individual student. It was a wake-up call to realise that if a student is not having the best time at home, and all you are doing as a teacher is emulating a negative atmosphere - albeit familiar to the pupil - then you're just perpetuating a stereotype in the young persons' mind that all adults are the same. If we as teachers can break this cycle and show that our classes are places of safety, creativity, mutual respect and collaboration, wouldn't we be showing them what life is like outside of their four walls, their street, or even their town?
The second shock came when the pupils came in to tell us about what they wanted from their teachers, or who they enjoyed having teaching them and why. Despite it being not that long ago, I struggle to remember the little aspects of my daily life at school (e.g. issues of fairness and justice) but these kids were incredibly eloquent with their responses; a desire for teachers to have an acute sense of fairness in the classroom, someone who doesn't lose their temper, a teacher who can draw the line, keep control and show confident authority in a classroom without being an authoritarian. When it came down to it's simplest form, the pupils just wanted to be treated like equals, and so they should be! The days of "I'm the teacher, you're the pupils; fear my wrath and shut up" are loooooong gone, and we should be nurturing, if not provoking, ideals such as equality, fairness, and the right to an opinion.
To round this up, it all revolves around one overarching concept: respect. This is a word that is seen around countless schools, doctors surgeries, bars and restaurants, public transport... the list goes on, but this basic human trait is one that is too often overlooked and forgotten about. It's a two-way concept; one of my favourite quotes is that "respect is earned, never commanded"and this is no more truer than in the classroom where a complex interplay of negotiation, authority, creativity, confidence, positivity, personal styles - and a multitude of other aspects - all wrap around a climate of respect.
I could take 10 of the items in bold above and summarise it as "what kind of teacher I would love to become," but I know that the reality is far more complex and different contexts will call for different measures. Nevertheless, the insights of today will stick with me for some time, and will remind me that any lesson will only ever be as great as the attitude you apply and share within the classroom.
*Not to the detriment any of the training I've been through so far; it's all been really interesting!
** The video in the link also discusses some excellent ideas around how teaching and learning, in an ideal context, could be geared more towards the needs of the pupils rather than "stifling" them into academia and putting the ones that don't excel into a SEN programme, but that's for another blog!
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