More than just sharing knowledge, teaching is also about the ability to inspire. Teachers can impact the lives of students. They can mold beliefs and behaviors; they can set an example for others to follow. They can influence a student’s choice of degree course, university, and future career.
While most teachers enter their jobs with a strong drive and passion for teaching, some may feel the “spark” dim as time passes by. Many teachers struggle to meet educational standards, effectively manage classrooms, and communicate with administrators, hindering their ability to teach.
Great teachers fight through these challenges and successfully overcome them. By meeting these obstacles head on, teachers can maintain their passion and feel a sense of achievement in their profession. Provided below is a list of things you can do to regain your passion for teaching.
· Be open to change
A teacher should be open to change. Evaluate your teaching techniques, experiment with new strategies, integrate technology, and adapt practices to address the diverse needs of students.
Understand different learning styles and incorporate various assessment strategies. Create an active, collaborative learning environment where students are active, rather than passive participants.
· Overcome student behavioral issues
Disruptive students cause teachers to feel exhausted, unappreciated and disrespected. A teacher who’s enthusiastic at first might become anxious and stressed, losing focus and passion in the process.
When you feel overwhelmed by student behavior problems, the most important thing to remember is to be patient. By being patient, you can think more rationally (not clouded by emotion or anger). Determine why these problems are occurring and think of a solution.
Teachers with good relationships with their students have fewer problems with student behavior and discipline. It is also important to foster a sense of belonging inside the classroom. If the whole class is working together as a team, students can help each other and there is a greater chance for learning and academic success.
· Develop effective teacher/administrator relationships
Aside from establishing good relationships with their students, teachers should also build a rapport with administrators and colleagues. You shouldn’t be afraid to approach administrators with your problems and concerns.
By opening up, you are showing that you are passionate about teaching and want to improve as an educator. Most likely, administrators will do all they can to help you deal with issues ranging from disruptive students to concerns about education policy.
In case an administrator is unable to provide support, teachers can seek help from fellow teachers. Share ideas, tips, and advice on how to prevent burnout and how to regain passion for teaching.
· Keep the fire lit
If you feel that you are slowly losing your passion for teaching, modify your routine and take creative risks. Make new lesson plans and think of new (and fun) classroom activities to increase learning inside the classroom.
Maintaining passion is not that easy, especially if you’ve been a teacher for a long time. But if you work hard and believe in yourself, there’s a good chance that you will succeed and regain the “spark” that brought you to the teaching profession in the first place.
Conclusion
For passionate teachers, educating students is more than just a job; it’s a mission, a way of life. All great teachers are passionate. They have a strong passion and enthusiasm for their profession. They are delighted every time their students acquire new knowledge and skills.
From seeing a student’s face light up after solving a math problem, to helping students explore new worlds through history or literature, these teachers derive joy from seeing their students learn.
INcompassing Ed is composed of highly qualified and experienced professionals who are very passionate about education and learning. We provide high-quality professional development for teachers through on-site, off-site and online PD. To learn more, contact us or visit our website at www.incompassinged.com.
