Is a Teacher Just a Teacher?

Is a teacher just a teacher? Not according to Carol Ann Tomlinson. A teacher plays many different roles. They are a counselor, a parent, a coach, social worker, and so on. However, a teacher is still a teacher, and a teacher is here to teach. Teachers don't change lives by just playing in different roles...teachers change lives by equipping students with intellectual necessities to make their way in an academic world. Teachers teach, just like a mechanic fixes a car, or a waitress takes your order. Like a mechanic has screwdrivers, and drills, and waitress has her trays and apron, a teacher has tools too. A teacher has instruction and curriculum. These tools help us do what we must do. It helps to ensure that we help students develop the knowledge, understanding, and skill necessary to be fulfilled and productive members of society.

Instruction and curriculum may be the tools that teachers use, but I think sometimes teachers forget that they are tools, that the are there for us. I have seen teachers rush through them, to say that they made it through the textbook, or to not fall behind. It is almost like saying, "Hey, I know we need to hang up this painting on the wall, let me get my sledge hammer to hit the nail with!" instead of saying "Let's make sure this painting is straight and level, then I will hammer the nail into the wall." Would you rather have a gaping hole in the wall, or a beautiful painting on the wall for all to see?

There is so much that goes into curriculum and instruction, and we must take our time with it. We need to make sure that the students we have are truly understanding what they are learning. They are going to be the ones that are shaping the future, and teachers need to lead them there the right way.

How?

By using curriculum and instruction as our proper tools, or as others say,by using curriculum and instruction as our vehicles. In order to make our vehicles work, we have to use the elements we have. I like to look at it by saying, I am adding more to my toolbox! Here is what I am adding:

Important-What we study provides a roadmap towards expertise in a discipline. What we study balances knowledge, understanding, and skill. 

Focused-Whatever we do, is designed to get us where we need to go.  Both the teacher and students know why we're doing what we are doing. 

Engaging-Students see themselves and their world in the work. Students see value to others in the work. Students often find themselves absorbed by the work. 

Demanding-Student growth is non-negotiable. Standards for work and behavior are high. Students are guided in working and thinking like professionals. 

Scaffolded-The teacher teaches for success. Varied avenues to learn and support a variety of learners. The teacher uses modeling and organizers, and other strategies to point out success. 

     By adding all these elements to my toolbox, I know I can lead these kids down the academic path they need to go down. I can change lives this way. I can challenge students, and teach them at the levels they need to be taught (I can differentiate this way). So can YOU. 

Don't put a hole through the wall. Create something beautiful, and show it off. Show those students you want them to learn, and you will be there to help them along the way. So is a teacher just a teacher? No. Yes a teacher teaches, but a teacher does a whole lot more than that.

Practices to Practice

I have recently been inside a 4th grade classroom to do three weeks of student teaching, otherwise known as field work. I have been asked to teach a math unit, and it made me a little nervous because I have never used a math textbook to create many lesson plans. I have a good friend named Rachel who is a teacher, and she happens to teach fourth grade. I called upon her to get some ideas for some math, and to see if my math lessons would be up to par for my cooperating teacher.

As I was talking to her, she mentioned something too me. She told me that during the first week of school, and during those first few days of learning new concepts in math, she tells the students that there will be times where they might not understand something, they might get something wrong, and they might get frustrated. However, she tells them that feeling those things is okay. They are here to learn and she is always their to coach them along. They practice together, and they learn together. She is their coach.

What stuck out to me was the word coach. 

Coach 

3. Sports A person who trains or directs athletes or athletic teams. 

4. a. A person who gives instruction, as in singing or acting. 

b. A private tutor employed to prepare a student for an examination.

 

Does a coach do the following things? 

Does a coach make an athlete feel unique and valuable as individuals, and are important to the team?

Does a coach make an athlete feel like they are there to help them find and develop abilities as individuals and as a team?

Does a coach help each athlete and team to become as capable as possible?

Yes!!! 

What about a differentiated teacher? Can a teacher be just like a coach? Can we cheer on our students, and help them improve?  

Can a teacher do the following things?

Can a teacher make a student feel unique and valuable as individuals and are important to the class?

Can a teacher be there to help a student find and develop abilities as individuals and as a class?

Can a teacher help each student and class to become as capable as possible?

Yes!!!

As I have stated before, students need affirmation, contribution, power, purpose, and challenge. Those three things that teachers and coaches both do, are things that we must let our learners know.  

What else do teachers and coaches have in common????

We both want to build a good environment for out teams! How can this be done? Practice it, one thing at a time.Here are some ideas...study students cultures, convey status, commend creativity, make room for all kinds of learners, help students know about one another, celebrate success, have communication in the classroom, have class support systems, and have shared responsibility in the classroom. If one thing is not working, blow your whistle, call time out, and try again.

A lot of teachers feel overwhelmed when it comes to having a differentiated classroom because as teachers we get stuck trying to figure out how to go about this. Well, don't be afraid! Compare yourself to a coach. Let students know that you are there to help them succeed. Let them know that at times they may need extra help, and let them know that is okay.  Be there for them, show them you care, and just make them feel safe!