It’s no secret the teaching profession is one of the most important but also challenging careers out there. Every day, teachers are tasked with educating and molding the minds of young people, and it’s a responsibility they take very seriously. However, even the most experienced and talented teachers can always continue to improve their teaching skills. And luckily, there are many ways to perform this teacher development.
So in this blog post, we’ll explore different ways a teacher can continuously improve their teaching skills. Whether it’s taking advantage of professional development opportunities, seeking feedback from colleagues, or simply reflecting on their own teaching practice, there are many things teachers can do to keep their skills sharp. So let’s get started!
How To Manage Your Ongoing Teacher Development
Join or start a book club with other teachers
A simple way to continue learning and growing as a teacher is to join or start a book club. There are many great books out there that can help teachers learn new strategies and approaches to teaching. Plus, discussing books with other teachers can be a great way to get feedback and ideas.
Start by checking with your school or district to see if they have any book clubs for teachers. If not, you can easily start your own by finding other educators who are interested in reading and discussing educational books. Then just choose a book, set a meeting time, and start discussing!
Attend relevant workshops and conferences
One smart way to develop your teaching skills is to attend workshops and conferences related to your subject area or grade level. These events are a great opportunity to learn from experienced educators and to get feedback on your own teaching practice.
Most conferences and workshops offer online registration, so it’s easy to find one that works with your schedule. And many of them also offer scholarships or discounts for educators, so be sure to look into that before you register.
Take online courses or watch educational videos
A convenient method for ongoing teacher development is to take online courses or watch educational videos on sites such as TedEd, Khan Academy, and Coursera. These platforms offer a variety of courses and videos on a wide range of topics, so you’re sure to find something that interests you.
What’s great about these platforms is that you can learn at your own pace and from the comfort of your own home. Plus, many of them offer certificates or diplomas upon completion, so you can show your colleagues and administrators that you’re continuing to develop your skills.
Observe other teachers in your school or district who are doing things you want to learn more about
A more “in the trenches” approach to ongoing teacher development is to observe other teachers in your school or district who are doing things you want to learn more about. This could be anything from using technology in the classroom to differentiating instruction for students with special needs.
When you observe another teacher, be sure to take notes on what you see and how it could be applied in your own classroom. Then, afterward, ask the teacher if you can chat with them about what they’re doing. They’ll likely be happy to chat with you and share their tips and tricks!
Read educational journals, blogs, and books to stay up-to-date on current teaching methods and best practices
Another simple way to continue developing your teaching skills is to reading. A few simple examples are:
- Educational journals
- Blogs
- Books
And many other things you can think of as well. This is a great way to learn about new research that’s being done in the field of education, as well as to get ideas on how to better meet the needs of your students.
Write reflective blog posts or articles about your teaching practice
As they say, sometimes the best way to learn about a topic is by teaching it. And one great way to continue developing your teaching skills is by writing reflective blog posts or articles. This is a great way to track your progress, as well as to get feedback from your colleagues and administrators.
Plus, writing can be a great way to organize your thoughts and learn more about a topic. So if you’re feeling stuck or need some ideas for an upcoming lesson, try writing a blog post about it. You might be surprised at what you come up with!
Conclusion
Continuing to develop your teaching skills is essential for any educator. Luckily, there are a number of easy and convenient ways to do this, such as taking online courses, observing other teachers, and reading educational journals. So don’t wait any longer – work on your teacher development skills today!
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