Raising up to new standards in teaching

As standards in education change each year we as teachers are expected adapt, change and push our teaching beyond that which we have been doing. Given this, there may be times when a teacher feels overwhelmed or even unable to handle the role that they may be now expected to carry out. Some teachers excel under these circumstances while others manage to pull through and keep going and yet some just give up. How might teachers best convert challenges into learning opportunities helping them grow into stronger educators?

One way is to arm ourselves with information. There are a lot of resources available and easily accessible online. Struggling with a special needs student? Standardized assessments? Or just looking for a solution to improve grades? Online professional development courses can introduce teachers to new techniques, provide teaching tips and help teachers work through more complicated issues. A few hours of study can provide ideas and strategies to cope with new challenges that teachers can face in the classroom.

Another means of learning for teachers is through peer support. Meet and share with other teachers, at school, or even on the Internet, to brainstorm ideas, strategize and gain encouragement.

Being a teacher today may be harder than it was 20 years ago, but we also have better resources and support than we have ever had before.

What do you do to cope with the demands of aligning your teaching to the latest standards?