Learning new things and acquiring additional skills are very essential in a teacher roles, and having a formal education can be challenging and will cost a lot of money. Fortunately, most teaching development can take place on the job, and your work environment is the most convenient place to take advantage of informal learning opportunities. No matter how good you perform on your teaching, you can still make mistakes but you can always learn and improve. Read these easy tips to make teaching development a part of your everyday routine.
Search from good leaders and make them your role models. Leaders’ experiences and actions provide great examples of practical leadership skills than any formal education. Find department heads, or even supervisors in your organization or in books and videos online that are exceptional in making decision and good in handling their people or students. Politely ask or just observe their actions and take note of personality traits and leadership practices that helped them to be in their position today. Observe yourself to know the areas where you can improve and apply those traits that can help you to be a better teacher
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Learn from your peers. People around you have a big contribution in developing your teaching skills, regardless of educational attainment, background or age. Know your peers by paying attention on how they manage workloads; communicate to other teachers, and even handle pressures. Ask yourself what qualities differ from each other, take those good qualities and be mindful of the behaviors that hamper career growth.
Make reading a habit. Reading is the most common yet very effective way to develop oneself. Make or research books that provide ideas and knowledge about self-directing learning and commit to a schedule of goals, such as reading one book per month or one to two chapters each day. Buying new books can be expensive, look for book garage, book sale or even borrow one from your friend but make sure to return them. Choose books that can help you grow on your field of works or look for books that do not match your career to help you acquire new learning. Going outside your box sometimes can be very exciting.
Find learning buddies. Finding co-workers who have the same goal as you are can be very helpful. You can always share learnings and resources and guide in correcting each other’s mistakes. Having someone to rely on can also ease your stressful workload and help you to develop smart-problem solving method that can benefit your peers and other workmates.
Nothing can hinder you from learning because learning opportunities are easy to create by simply embracing what you do not know. Avoid limiting your own teaching development from taking only formal education or resources provided by seminars and workshops because real situations are the best lesson and provide the motivation you need for your professional growth.
By: Glenda Donato Llabor | T-I | Saint Peter of Verona Academy Hermosa, Bataan
