five secrets of successful teachers · 2014-06-08 ·...

Five Secrets Of Successful

Teachers

Carolyn ‘Aukafolau

REPLACE WITH IMAGE

How to feel good, get

results and make a

difference.

www.teachingsuccess.co.nz

Introduction …………………1 Secret No. 1 – Look After Yourself ….….…3 Secret No. 2 – Mindset Matters ………7 Secret No. 3 – Create a‘Spark Team’..…11 Secret No. 4 – Lifelong Learning….……..15 Secret No. 5 – Take Time Out ……………19 What’s Next? …………………….. 23

TABLE OF CONTENTS:


These ‘secrets’ are like a treasure chest of golden ideas. Help yourself to the goodies and enjoy being even more successful than you already are!

You are your

greatest

resource!

Introduction: Five Secrets of

Successful Teachers

Page 1


Do you ever wonder why some teachers stay passionate and excited about their careers for many years, and other teachers burn themselves out and lose their passion aHer just a few years?

I have thought a lot about this as I have watched teachers enter and leave

their careers. I have met and worked with many very successful teachers in my 30 years in the profession. I love watching how successful teachers operate, and over the years I have taken note of their acNons to unlock their secrets.

I am going to share five of the secrets I have discovered with you, and you

can copy them too if you wish! Actually, what I am sharing are not really secrets, but someNmes we can take success strategies for granted and think that it can’t be that simple. We can over-‐complicate things. However, as you will see the following strategies are available to anyone who wants to try them.

Five Secrets of Successful Teachers

It is our choices, that show what we truly

are, far more than our abilities.

~~J. K Rowling~~

Page 2

“


Successful teachers look a=er their own health and wellbeing first. They know that if they are not feeling healthy and well, then they are not able to give 100% to their students.

You are your

greatest

resource!

Secret No. 1: Look After Yourself

Page 3


Successful teachers look aHer their own health and wellbeing first. A successful teacher has the commitment to be fully present for their class and they understand that if they let themselves become Nred and run down their students and their own families miss out.

Try focusing on the following three main areas when you are

looking aHer yourself. If you get the basics right you will feel great and be full of energy.


Health is the thing that makes you feel that

now is the best time of the year.

~~Arabian Proverb~~

Page 4

“


The 3 Best Ways to Look After Yourself

1. Sleep: GeTng enough sleep is extremely important for teachers. The school day does not have much downNme, if any! You are on the go all the Nme, and need to be alert and focused. This is nearly impossible when you are over-‐Nred. Successful teachers know how much sleep they need to be at their best, and make sure they get it. The amount of sleep needed differs for each of us, but is usually between 6 – 8 hours. Research suggests going to bed and waking up at the same Nme every day as this regulates your body clock.

2. Ea,ng well and staying hydrated: Successful teachers know which food gives them good energy (not a quick sugar fix that leaves them feeling drained aHerwards). They start the day with breakfast, and make sure they pack snacks and lunch to keep them fuelled throughout the day. Successful teachers stay hydrated during the day by drinking water regularly. They organise their evening meals ahead of Nme and create systems around shopping, meal preparaNon, and menu planning so that they don’t get caught short and have to buy fast food on the way home!

3. Exercise: Successful teachers know how much exercise makes them feel good (again this is different for each of us). Some know that they need to go to the gym every day and do a vigorous workout and that makes them feel great. Others know that a walk around the park or a yoga class a couple of Nmes a week keeps them at their best. The benefits of exercise are not just physical, but mental too. Successful teachers know that exercise helps them to relax, have some Nme out, and gives them thinking Nme.


Page 5 www.teachingsuccess.co.nz

ü  Give yourself a current score out of 10 for how you doing in each of the three areas

Sleeping well q

EaNng well and drinking water q Exercise q

ü  What could you do to improve your score in each area?

__________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________

ü  Who do you know that is successful in one of these areas?

Ask them for some Nps. It is interesNng to find out how others plan their meals, or manage to get to bed on Nme each night. If you like their ideas, copy them.

___________________________________________

Page 6

Start small –

choose ONE

action that you

could do today.

Take Action… How can you implement these ideas into your day?



Having a posiDve aEtude creates a growth mindset. Successful teachers are always looking for ways to improve and this keeps them moDvated.

You are your

greatest

resource!

Secret No. 2: Mindset Matters

Page 7


It is usually easy to stay posiNve when things are going well and you are in good health. However, it can be more difficult to keep a posiNve mindset through challenges such as a behaviour management issue in your class, a looming deadline with lots of work to be done or an unpleasant colleague. It is possible to train yourself to think more posiNvely though. This does not mean that you have to be happy ALL the Nme. In fact one of the joys of life is the different emoNons and feelings we experience. Having a posiNve mindset means that you are able to see light at the end of the tunnel during tough Nmes and you believe that things will get beaer. This type of thinking creates resilience and enables you to push through and find soluNons to your challenges. Successful teachers are resilient and view their challenges as learning opportuniNes.


Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which

you must see the world.

~~George Bernard Shaw~~

Page 8

“


3 Strategies for a Growth Mindset

There are many ways to bring more posiNvity into your teaching day and other areas of your life.

1.   Be Grateful: CreaNng a pracNce of graNtude is a quick way to turn anxious and frustraNng thoughts around. Using a journal can be useful to jot down things you are grateful for in your life. StarNng each day by thinking of three things you are grateful for before you even get out of bed sets you up in a posiNve frame of mind. Be conscious of the small things in life that we someNmes take for granted – a sunny day, enough food in the fridge, good friends, having a phone. This is a great exercise to do with your students too.

2. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: Successful teachers know not to stress about small things that don’t maaer. They think about what they have control over and do something about it. They know how to let go of things they have no control over. What are you spending most of the Nme thinking about? Is it something that is worth spending Nme on and will yield big results or is it something that is not parNcularly useful, but is taking up a lot of head space? Staying focused on things that really maaer enables you to feel good, get results and make a difference.

3. Take Ac,on: Successful teachers know that when they are feeling negaNve or frustrated it is oHen because they can not see a soluNon to the problem. They have strategies for working through this. WriNng a list can be a way of sorNng thoughts, and oHen once you start wriNng a soluNon will appear, especially when you read back what you have wriaen. Successful teachers know that taking acNon on some of the things they have listed, no maaer how small, will help them feel more in control and more posiNve about the situaNon.



ü  Create a GraNtude Journal and write at least 3 things that you are grateful for each day. Or start each day by thinking about 3 things you are grateful for before you get out of bed.

ü  Think about things at school that are worrying you and list them in these two

categories…

ü  Now choose one thing that you CAN control and think about an acNon you will take on this.

____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________

Page 10

Start small –

choose ONE

action that you

could do today.



What do I have control over?

What do I have no control over?


Successful teachers know that they are not alone. They acDvely seek out people who will support and upli= them. They surround themselves with people who will moDvate them, and they inspire others in return.

You are your

greatest

resource!

Secret No. 3: Create a ‘Spark Team’

Page 11


There are Nmes when it is important to spend Nme alone and to work things out for yourself. However, having a ‘Spark Team’ of people to encourage and support you can certainly speed your path to success.

Your ‘Spark Team’ can provide a listening ear, moral support

when you are feeling vulnerable, humour when you need cheering up, advice when you don’t know what to do and moNvaNon when you feel stuck. Thinking about creaNng a ‘Spark Team’ before you need it ensures that you are prepared.


Friendship is born at that moment when one

person says to another: “What!” You Too? I thought I was the

only one.

~~CS Lewis~~

Page 12

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How to Create a ‘Spark Team’.

CreaNng a ‘Spark Team’ is very personal, as you need to include people you trust and respect, and who have your best interests at heart.

1. Who to Choose: Different people will provide different kinds of support for you. Think about the people who are currently in your life (both professionally and personally) and the role they fulfil. Who are your role models, mentors and friends. Think about people who drain your energy (someNmes they can be friends!) and avoid them when you are feeling low. Successful teachers make a conscious choice to surround themselves with people who bring a posiNve energy. They create relaNonships with people they know will be able to support them, and nurture these relaNonships by providing support in return. Successful teachers draw on a wide network of friends and colleagues.

2. How to Ask for Support: Successful teachers proacNvely seek support and ask for what they want. They understand that asking for help does not mean having a moan. They know that repeaNng the same conversaNon over and over, and not doing anything about it can make people who were iniNally supporNve become Nred and resenhul. Successful teachers make an effort to implement suggested changes no maaer how small, as they know this has a ripple effect.

3. Crea,ng a Virtual ‘Spark Team’: Your teaching colleagues will most likely be your ‘Spark Team’ at school, as they will understand and share your situaNon. However, if you do not feel supported by the colleagues near you, you could create a virtual ‘Spark Team’, by finding support online. There are many educaNon websites, online forums and Facebook groups where teachers can engage with each other and share ideas, strategies and challenges.



ü  List the areas you would like to be supported in and think of people who could fulfil this role in your ‘Spark Team’.

ü  Which websites or online forums do you find useful to parNcipate in?

____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________

Page 14

Start small –

choose ONE

action that you

could do today.



I Need … Who could provide this?

MoNvaNon

InspiraNon

Advice

A listening ear

A good laugh


Learning makes us more interesDng. Successful teachers know that to ensure their students keep learning, they need to be role models of learning themselves.

You are your

greatest

resource!

Secret No. 4: Be a Lifelong Learner

Page 15


Henry Ford said “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.” This is especially important for teachers. Successful teachers understand the importance of conNnuous learning to stay current with emerging pedagogy and educaNonal theories and pracNces. They embrace the concept of learning for life.


The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more

that you learn, the more places you'll go.

~~Dr Seuss~~

Page 16

“


3 Ways to Embrace Life Long Learning

1. Reflec,ve Journal: Successful teachers keep track of their learning. Keeping a reflecNve journal is a very helpful tool to track your ideas, thoughts and learning. Reading back over previous entries allows you to see how much you have grown, and how your thoughts and ideas have developed. Personal growth is conNnuous, and someNmes we are not aware of how much we have grown. We can forget which book we read a parNcular idea in, or which keynote speaker at the conference inspired us, unless we keep a few notes. Journals can be a notebook, or you can use an online tool such as Evernote to keep track. Looking back through your journal can give you reasons to celebrate your successes and achievements.

2. Professional Development: EducaNon theories and pracNces are conNnually growing and changing. ParNcipaNng in professional development keeps successful teachers at the cuTng edge and moNvates them to test new theories and implement new teaching pracNces. The best professional development is ongoing, theory based, pracNcal, collaboraNve, and connected to and derived from working with students. Hopefully your school provides you with professional development opportuniNes, but if not you can create your own PD programme by reading books or exploring online.

3. Inspira,onal Learning: Successful teachers understand that personal development is just as important as professional development, and they acNvely seek out opportuniNes to develop themselves. They conNnue to learn about things they are passionate about, as they know this helps them to think more creaNvely, expand their horizons and stay inspired. Successful teachers have other interests as well as teaching and educaNon. What are you really interested in – art, history, literature, sports, nature, theatre, design, hiking, invenNng, gardening…? Keep learning!



ü  Create a reflecNve journal – a notebook or a file on your computer, or set up a folder in Evernote, Dropbox etc. Remember to include key ideas, references to the book, speaker, facilitator etc and the dates. Note the changes you have made to your pracNce since implemenNng what you have learned.

ü  Make a list of ideas you are interested in learning more about

__________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________

ü  Keep a brief log of professional development you have undertaken. List the type of PD, a couple of points about the key learnings, and the date completed.

•  At your school •  Conference •  Online •  Professional readings •  AcNon research This log is an abbreviated version of your reflecNve journal and a useful reference when you are compleNng a job applicaNon or going for a promoNon.

Page 18

Start small –

choose ONE

action that you

could do today.




Successful teachers know that to keep going they need to take Dme out. Time spent alone, to reflect and think, can boost energy and enhance well-‐being.

You are your

greatest

resource!

Secret No. 5: Take Time Out

Page 19


Successful teachers understand the importance of taking Nme out during their busy days, even when it feels like they don’t have Nme to stop. They know that a five minute break can pay big dividends by helping them feel rested and rejuvenated. They also make sure that their students have regular breaks as well. Successful teachers stop to reflect on their pracNce and consciously evaluate what went well, what they could improve and what changes they could make.


True silence is the rest of the mind; it is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment

and refreshment.

~~William Penn~~

Page 20

“


3 Quick Ways to Take Time Out SomeNmes you can take an hour to reflect, write and plan, but usually

teachers are rushing. Here are three ways to ensure that you take a break.

1. Breathe: Breathing consciously and deeply is a fast, simple and extremely effecNve way to stop for a minute. Breathing deeply releases tension, relaxes the mind and body and brings clarity. It is the easiest way to take Nme out as you do not need any resources except yourself! Learn how to breathe properly by watching a video online or aaending a yoga class. Most people to not breathe correctly, and shallow breathing can actually cause faNgue as your body is not geTng enough oxygen. Teaching your students how to breathe properly will be invaluable and give you all a few minutes Nme out.

2. Eat Lunch Mindfully: Successful teachers take Nme out to connect with their students, and lunch is a great Nme to do this. SiTng with your students and eaNng together is social and comfortable. Encourage your students (and you too!) to eat slowly and mindfully, enjoying the taste and texture of the food. SomeNmes we have a tendency to rush our students and our own eaNng. Being mindful when chewing and swallowing gives you and the class an enjoyable Nme out.

3. Be Aware When You Need a Break: Successful teachers know when they need to take a break by listening to their body and noNcing the signs. How do you exhibit stress? Do you tense your shoulders, raise your voice, clench your teeth, feel overwhelmed? Being aware of our own triggers is important so that we can use some Nme out strategies before we get hugely stressed. Having a handy list of strategies that you enjoy is useful to keep in the front of your planning diary or on the wall, as when you are stressed you oHen can’t think of what to do. Also be aware of the signs of stress in your students and pre-‐empt possible behaviour challenges by stopping the lesson for a minute to allow students to breathe or stretch or listen to some music.



ü  Create a classroom pracNce of doing 10 deep breaths with your students aHer each break Nme. Write these ‘Breathing Breaks’ in your planning diary so you don’t forget.

ü  Learn different breathing techniques by going to a yoga class, or researching

online.

ü  Create a folder of songs/music that make you relaxed and calm. Find three to five minutes in your day when you can be alone, close your eyes and listen to one song.

ü  Sit quietly in the car for a couple of minutes before you go into school in the morning and before you go into your home at the end of the day. This quiet Nme helps you to leave home at home and school at school.

ü  Teach your class to sit in silence for one minute. You can use an instrument such as a triangle or chime bar to play one note that resounds to start the minute and seale them into silence. Persevere with this even if your class is not able to manage the full minute (start with 20 – 30 seconds). AHer a few pracNces your students will enjoy the benefits of staying calm and quiet for a while.

Page 22

Start small –

choose ONE

action that you

could do today.




Hi, my name is Carolyn and I have been working in education for over 30 years. I am a trained teacher and a trained professional coach (ICF).

I am passionate about supporting teachers to teach at their best by looking after themselves first.

Teachers are the greatest resource in a student’s life, but they have to be well, both physically and mentally, to fulfil that important role.

Thank you so much for downloading this resource. I hope you found the ideas in this little book useful. I look forward to connecting with you again soon.


Teaching Success

Carolyn ‘Aukafolau


five secrets of successful teachers · 2014-06-08 ·...

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