Everyone always says it’s good to have mentors. Sometimes though, you need only watch people, you need only see something modeled to make it your own. As my entire staff continues to become certified in EDI, we are starting to talk more openly about strategies and what we are doing in our classrooms. As a trainer, I sense many teachers are guarded when discussing it because they don’t want to be seen as doing a part wrong. The way I see it, it is only a tool and we still need to collaborate and watch each other to learn to do it right.
I think the best advice I ever got about finding a career was to watch people doing it and see if you could or would enjoy it. You can even take one step beyond and talk with them but most the time just watching is enough to clarify everything. I think having people in to watch me teach has been one of the greatest learning experiences for me. I hope it was for them as well. Bottom line, see if your Principal will allow you to observe each other and if She/He will, seize the opportunity. You’ll be glad you did.
2 Comments
I absolutely agree with this. The best way for a teacher to improve is to watch others. No matter how long you have been teaching you can learn new techniques for transitioning, classroom management, and engaging the students. What you will learn is something that can’t come from a book!
@Meaghan: Excellent comment! Thank you. I think more Principals should make time for teachers to watch each other.