Teaching is tough - we all know it. Learning is tough, too. There are so many factors outside of the control of an individual that getting help is an important part of a career - be you a student, teacher, or another profession entirely.
So why is it that students have guidance counselors who have regular contact with them yet teachers don't often get to voice concerns and get feedback? Reflection is an important part of any process and teachers deserve it just as much as students do.
It is for that reason that I value teacher networks - they provide me with avenues to reflect and get feedback from my colleagues. Any good teacher knows who he or she can go to for help and does so often, just like any good student knows which adult to trust with concerns.
If you value reflection and want to get ideas from others, consider attending meetings of as many teacher networks as possible. The particular one I connect with these statements is the Reflective Teacher Network. If you feel tired, shaky, and need a pick-me-up with some free dinner, come to our next meeting. It's free and could be the difference between a complaining session and real progress in your classroom.
So why is it that students have guidance counselors who have regular contact with them yet teachers don't often get to voice concerns and get feedback? Reflection is an important part of any process and teachers deserve it just as much as students do.
It is for that reason that I value teacher networks - they provide me with avenues to reflect and get feedback from my colleagues. Any good teacher knows who he or she can go to for help and does so often, just like any good student knows which adult to trust with concerns.
If you value reflection and want to get ideas from others, consider attending meetings of as many teacher networks as possible. The particular one I connect with these statements is the Reflective Teacher Network. If you feel tired, shaky, and need a pick-me-up with some free dinner, come to our next meeting. It's free and could be the difference between a complaining session and real progress in your classroom.
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