Tricks of the Trade – Be Intentional

“Change is inevitable.  Growth is intentional.”  – Glenda Cloud

The school year is moving quickly, teachers are stretched, and students are growing weary.  There are still many days ahead to fill with quality learning opportunities and you want to make each one count, so teach on!  Remember – don’t just have good intentions – be intentional!

Ann Epstein from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) states, “To be intentional is to act purposefully, with a goal in mind and a plan for accomplishing it.”  An intentional teacher is one whose plans and actions originate from careful thought about best practices.  They are in tune with their students’ individual needs, purposefully strive to challenge and extend skills, and set high expectations that are tempered with respect and caring.

Effective educators are intentional in how they:

Build Relationships –  Learning grows through positive relationships.  Students know when their teacher genuinely cares about them, has high expectations, and supports them along the way.  The intentional teacher is “truly present” and in tune with the students’ needs.  Be there and engaged – not on the phone, chatting, or working on paperwork when interaction is vital.

Create and Maintain the Class Climate – Be intentional in creating a quality culture for learning.  The classroom climate has been established and built with student input, so don’t let it slide as we cross the days off the calendar.  This is a place where students and teachers are respected and valued.  “Child-guided Experience + Adult-guided Experience = Optimal Learning” – NAEYC

Plan – Effective teachers plan intentionally, but are also flexible and ready for the teachable moments.  They deliberately select engaging materials and processes that inspire learning, are open-ended, and are ready to meet the diverse learning needs of each student.

Communicate – Intentional teachers communicate with students, parents, colleagues, and administrators so that all know the expectations, what learning is taking place, and have the chance to ask questions and clarify.  Interactive communication abounds.

Have High Expectations – Educators who believe that each child is capable of learning and who foster a growth mindset are a powerful force in their classrooms.  They set a tone of high expectations, students know their teachers expect their best, and will support them in achieving their goals.

Ask Questions and Provide Feedback – Teachers pose questions to stretch, inspire, and to gain greater insight into students’ thinking.  They use evaluative feedback to focus on the learning rather than casting judgment.  This helps students with the next steps for continued growth.

Being intentional requires us to connect and realize that our attitudes and actions directly impact our classroom experiences and the experiences of our students.  The year is drawing to an end, but the learning should be ongoing.  Boost those positive attitudes by listening to a Pep Talk for Teachers by Kid President.  Remember to be intentional because there is someone ready to learn from you!