When getting into education, teachers want to become someone who their students will remember forever, and for the right reasons, too. But anyone who has taught knows it’s never as easy as the movies make out. Being a great teacher and one that’s memorable takes a lot of dedication.
It’s important not to force it, though. Kids are smarter than many people give them credit for, and they can tell when adults are disingenuous whether they are five, twelve, or seventeen. If you want to make a difference and be the memorable teacher every prospective educator dreams of being, you need to know how to approach it.
Smashing the Passion
Passion is essential in all professions, but in teaching, it is one of the most important aspects of the job. If you have a genuine love for what you teach, whether its elementary, high school or college, this will reflect onto your students and inject them with the same passion.
Kids don’t remember copying notes off the board, nor do they recall being lectured to for an hour - at least - every time they drag themselves into your classroom. Instead, lessons that engage them and where you get the chance to show off how much you love the subject will be times that they think about even ten or twenty years after leaving school.
A Sensitive Ear
A big problem that kids encounter is that they don’t feel anyone really listens to them, and even if it feels like the adult is listening to them, it’s with a patronizing ear that does more harm than good. To become a memorable teacher, any ear you lend must be a sensitive one so that the student feels like you are listening to every word they say.
Offering a sensitive ear and allowing the student to speak their mind whether in the classroom or private won’t only make them more comfortable with you, but also help them feel that what they have to say has value. Some kids do not have the same support system as others, and many may struggle to express their feelings at home. You can be a surrogate ear for them to talk to and hopefully overcome any issues they face.
An Understanding
The teacher/student relationship can be a tricky one to navigate, and often it all depends on your teaching style. A lot of people want to be the cool teacher, but this can end with the students taking advantage of your leniency and losing respect for you. However, you also don’t want to be too strict, as this also has adverse effects.
It’s all about finding the balance. You must show respect to your students, and they will show respect toward you. By working out an understanding of what is expected from both sides of the classroom, you’ll create a culture of interest that will benefit everybody.
A Genuine Connection
If you want to make a genuine connection with your students, it’s crucial to build a relationship of respect and interest with them. This means engaging in conversations during class time when you are included and also asking questions about their lives.
Often, it’s about remembering the little things about them like their quirks, nickname, or favorite sport. If you notice something that catches your eye and reminds you about one of your students, make sure to mention it to them in class.
A Parting Gift
Whether you’ve been with the same students for five years or just one year, it’s always bittersweet to see them move on and graduate to the higher grades. You will no doubt remember them, and they too will remember you. But, you can make this certain by giving them a parting gift to say goodbye.
Personalized graduation chocolate candy bars are a great way to appeal to the sweet tooth of youth, and you can create labels with the class name, year, and even their names with a picture if you want to make it really special. While they will likely devour the candy bar as soon as they can, they can at least keep the wrapper for their scrapbook to remember you and their time at school.
Still Inspiring After All These Years
You might not see your students ever again once they graduate. However that doesn’t mean you can’t still fill their heads with inspiration to be the best person they can be. By being a memorable teacher who helps the kids love learning and enjoy their time at school, you, along with their parents and guardians, will set them up for a lifetime of success.
