Title: Six Steps to Master Teaching: Becoming a Reflective Practitioner | Edutopia
Headings: Six Steps to Master Teaching: Becoming a Reflective Practitioner
Professional Learning
Six Steps to Master Teaching: Becoming a Reflective Practitioner
Growth is an ongoing responsibility
By Margaret Regan
The Need for Mentors
1) Understand Your Reasons for Teaching
2) Cultivate Ethical Behavior in Your Students and Yourself
3) Pool Both Patience and Perseverance
4) Design Curriculum That Works
5) Perfect Instructional Practices and Assessment Skills
6) Connect Positively to the Whole-School Culture

Content: The myth that some people are born teachers is simply not true. They may begin teaching with the high motive of generosity toward their students, their colleagues and themselves, but maintaining this over many years is a challenge. Without contemplation and retreat, teaching can become simply a series of lucky habits rather than a profession through which one can grow. Think of great athletes. Many show extreme promise early in their careers; however, they depend upon other great athletes and coaches to improve their performance over time. If they find themselves at a plateau in their performance, they look for mentors to push them beyond it. But in teaching, a promising young professional can fulfill that expectation without sufficient coaching for years. Of course, there is always teacher evaluation designed for that purpose; still, how often does it truly improve anything to do with the classroom?