The ABC's High School Teachers Really Need to Know

Effective teachers focus on learning in the classroom -- not grades.  Create a culture of learning in your classroom by limiting the conversations you have and actions you take that center around  performance.  Allow students to be curious, explore, and make mistakes.   If a student learns a lot, the grades will take care of themselves.  

Always embrace who you are as a person and as a professional at school.  You will be more genuine to your students and in your content.  You will also be more likely to find long-term happiness and self-fulfillment as an educator.  Resist the urge to hide from or dilute your own values, standards, and brand of teaching.   You're special, and no one can do "you" better than you.  

Don't be the cranky teacher or surround yourselves by them.  Stay positive, be solution-oriented, and bring the energy every single day.  Spending your days complaining or whining about students, principals, or school boards does little to move the needle for the families you serve.  Effective teachers know they have to grow beyond that mindset.  You can start changing your mindset right now!

Teaching can't just be about chasing standards and grades.  It has to also be about measuring student motivation, effort, and the joy of learning.  If you measure and manage those things, your kids will be more likely to hit standards and perform for you.  

Effective teachers will tell you to be consistent in your process - from expectations and discipline to the energy and work ethic you bring each and every day.  Consistency is one of those things that will move the needle for your students and your classroom in a big way.

Back for Season 2 with a special guest -- Mr. Garrett Smith!  In this episode, we will discuss the importance of "aging well" as an educator.  Effective teachers know that if they don't relate or modernize their process, students will almost certianly pay the price.   

Don't be a teacher zombie.  Don't just go through the motions.  Remember why you became a teacher in the first place.  Passion, pride, love, and kindness go a long way in our field, as well as for the families we serve.  Light the fire again.  You've got this.  You're a freaking rockstar!

It's okay to occasionally put yourself first.  You have mental, physical, spiritual, and professional needs that MUST be met.  Don't become the starving baker that feeds everyone but himself.  If you do, education will grind you down.  

Effective teachers realize that stereotypes and preconceptions do little for teaching and learning.  Never "crystal ball" what you or your students are (or aren't) capable of achieving.  Each student is an individual -- both unique and special in his/her own way.

From the use of sarcasm and stereotypes to monitoring your speaking volume, tone, and vocabulary, this episode is all about watching your words.  Effective teachers know that what they say and how they say it directly impacts both the relationships and lessons in their classrooms.  

We know perfection is not obtainable, yet we (and sometimes others) hold ourselves to that impossible standard.  Don't do that to yourself.  Don't dwell in the negative.  Focus on your victories and learn from your defeats.  

Teachers MUST understand grading.  This episode will discuss common pitfalls, characterize sound practices, and provide key strategies that will vastly improve your assessment and feedback process.  Being mindful of these things can completely transform your classroom and how effective you are for your students.  

Teach technology correctly.  Great teachers understand that the learning of a technology MUST be balanced with its application.  Also, dismiss the idea of a "perceived" learning gap between you and your students.  Even if many of them happen to be computer pros, gaming gurus, or social media butterflies, I promise you they don't know all the applications (no one does) or all of the...

Simplify your process.  Keep the main thing the main thing.  Make it about your students and the learning.  Don't get lost in bureaucracy, analytics, and politics.  Your kids will thank you!

Children are growing up way too fast in the world today.  Make sure you are part of the solution and not the problem.  Throughout your classroom process - from lesson design to feedback - remember that your students are just kids.  They are developing academically, physiologically, and psychologically.  Be there to support them and balance out a world that wants them to be adults way too soon.  

If you have lost the passion for students or aren't willing to grow and adapt as a professional, you should absolutely quit.  Education doesn't want or need you.  Alternatively, you can work each day to get better, focus on the positive, and remind yourself why you became a teacher in the first place.  Love what you do and find self-fulfillment.  When you are at your best, your kids will...

You have to push students to help them find success.  But what exactly does "push" mean?  It starts with building positive relationships and ends with students ultimately wanting to push themselves.  

No one does "you" better than you.   Don't dilute your own personality and uniqueness in the classroom.  It is the key way students will connect with you and what you are teaching.   Great teachers own their own teaching style.

If your students aren't smiling regularly in your classroom, you may have a big problem.  Are they having a good experience?  Are they lost in your process or classroom?  Happy students (and a happy teacher) should be a standard in your classroom - not an anomaly.  

Teachers must set up a culture of success in their classroom that centers around mastery and achievement.  Don't settle for "close enough" or lackluster effort.  This episode will provide some key strategies and practices that generate mastery and better outcomes - even in an education system that seems more concerned with standardization.  

Students don't learn much from people they don't like.  Effective teachers know and embrace this fact.  That doesn't mean act their age or dress like them.  What it does mean is self-reflect on how you are perceived by your students.  Where is your relationship with them?

Though important, being great at utilizing instructional strategies and developing relationships aren't enough.  Know that content matters.  If you don't know your content, what exactly are you delivering to your students?  It's time to bridge the gap.

Make sure you you joke often!  The ability to do this as a teacher is so important, particularly in a profession filled with seemingly crazy expectations and demands.  Don't shorten your own teaching journey by refusing to smile and laugh with your students, colleagues, and YOURSELF.  

Effective teachers understand that students and parents should have a positive experience in their classrooms  - no matter where students fall in the grade book.  This episode will discuss  several strategies to help ensure that happens.  Being personal, professional, and proactive will lead to better academic outcomes and make your job so much more fulfilling.   

It is always about the people and the relationships.  Learning cannot be miserable.  If you remember that, you will be much more effective.  This episode provides you with several strategies to ensure you are doing just that.