John's Advice for Other Teachers—from “Ministry Makeover”
• John's Advice for Other Teachers
We asked John what he’d like to say to other teachers as a result of his makeover.
• Feedback is helpful. Perhaps ask an experienced person you respect to observe your teaching and provide feedback.
• Evaluate yourself. Think about your teaching and what factors have shaped it. Identify which have been helpful and which haven’t. Reflect especially on your first teaching experiences and how they may be limiting you today. Are you teaching as though you’re still in a small room (or otherwise limited) when you’re now in a large room (the limitation is gone)?
• Try new things. But only try one new thing at a time (or only a few things that go together). Practice it several times, and figure out how to make it work for you. If, despite your best efforts, it never works for you and it’s not vital, dump it.
• Be yourself. Don’t let the changes distract you from what you do well.
• Focus on kids’ needs. It’s possible to over-prepare. Don’t let your preparations stifle your teaching.
• Volunteer to teach. More likely than not, you’re busy. Teach anyway.