I am a seasoned teacher. I've been doing this for a while. Though I have taught the same curriculum for years, each time I teach a lesson, it is different. Even if I am using the exact same plan or the same materials. The reason I change things is that the students I have in front of me today are different than the students I had before. Each student, each class, has a different set of strengths, interests, needs and as educators we must adapt to them.
Sometimes adaptations may be providing a rephrasing or additional support. Sometimes it looks like changing things by providing supportive lessons leading up to the lesson. It could also be adjusting the examples, groupings, or timing. The reality is the students I am teaching now are very different than the students I taught when I first started teaching. The world has changed, technology and access to technology is different. We must adjust or we won't be able to meet the needs of our students.
I know there are some teachers who have been doing the exact same thing for years upon years. While it may sound easy, it isn't effective. I have experienced this as a parent and know how frustrating it can be for students. We need to be reflective of what we are teaching, why we are teaching it and how we can make it most applicable for students. Do we need to completely overhaul everything we do? Sometimes yes, but in many cases no. We do need to approach our work with curiosity and a willingness to make adjustments. Not only is this part of learning for everyone, but also I believe it is a loving approach to our students.
No comments:
Post a Comment