It is inevitable that the world will change. Your world will change. Our children will live in a different world than we grew up in. Change happens.
2. Be a willing collaborator
Your professional practice will improve when you invite the perspectives and expertise of your colleagues into what you do.
3. Build a toolbox
Don’t limit yourself to what you’ve always known. Build a toolbox of resources and opportunities, both digitally and physically.
4. Invite the kids into the curriculum conversation
Ask the kids what they think. Students are your partners in education, not just the objects to whom you teach.
5. Let student explore
Look for places in the curriculum where direct instruction can be replaced by deep student-centered inquiry and exploration.
6. Give students the gift of discernment
Reflection on learning and reflection on the tools and resources with which we learn are extremely important. We need to know that students “get it” on a conceptual level, rather than just a recognition level.
7. Seek opportunities to extend the classroom
In the 21st century, the teacher should not be the student’s only audience.
8. Let it go
Be critically aware of the traditional aspects of instruction and what is timeless and what is mindless.
