Teaching is one of the most important jobs there is.
But, it is also one of the hardest.
Not only do teachers have to contend with politics in the school (as in every workplace) but they are directly affected by politics in the government. The worst thing about poor government policies for schools is that they have a direct – and often detrimental – impact on children.
Teachers have to deliver to meet expectations at every level: the head of the school, the parents and national standards.
They also have to manage the students. Classrooms are now filled with more children than ever, all from different backgrounds with different needs (emotional, physical and educational). These needs can and do have an effect on the way the children learn, and the teacher must be able to manage them.
All of this can make the most idealistic and promising teacher feel tired, drained and despondent. Suddenly, they might feel as though the fun has all but gone out of the classroom, and this is a terrible thing.
Fun is essential in the classroom. Fun helps keep both children and teacher motivated. It helps bond children with each other and keeps their spirits up when the going gets tough.
But no one talks about fun in staff meetings and they certainly don't seem to discuss it in the Houses of Parliament.
Happily, teachers who want to make their classrooms fun, happy and positive places to be have many options at their fingertips.
These include everything from using music and song, to incorporating games into lesson plans and using stickers and certificates where appropriate.
Every adult surely must remember the flush of pleasure that came from seeing a sticker placed on their work! Stickers, when used sparingly and meaningfully (for work that really deserves recognition for example) rather than as a matter of course, will help to encourage and motivate children in the classroom.
For recognition that spreads to the entire school, certificates which are presented in a semi-formal manner can also encourage children.
Perhaps, for the same reasons, the poor teachers should receive certificates themselves.
Teaching is one of the most important jobs there is.
But, it is also one of the hardest.
Not only do teachers have to contend with politics in the school (as in every workplace) but they are directly affected by politics in the government. The worst thing about poor government policies for schools is that they have a direct – and often detrimental – impact on children.
Teachers have to deliver to meet expectations at every level: the head of the school, the parents and national standards.
They also have to manage the students. Classrooms are now filled with more children than ever, all from different backgrounds with different needs (emotional, physical and educational). These needs can and do have an effect on the way the children learn, and the teacher must be able to manage them.
All of this can make the most idealistic and promising teacher feel tired, drained and despondent. Suddenly, they might feel as though the fun has all but gone out of the classroom, and this is a terrible thing.
Fun is essential in the classroom. Fun helps keep both children and teacher motivated. It helps bond children with each other and keeps their spirits up when the going gets tough.
But no one talks about fun in staff meetings and they certainly don't seem to discuss it in the Houses of Parliament.
Happily, teachers who want to make their classrooms fun, happy and positive places to be have many options at their fingertips.
These include everything from using music and song, to incorporating games into lesson plans and using stickers and certificates where appropriate.
Every adult surely must remember the flush of pleasure that came from seeing a sticker placed on their work! Stickers, when used sparingly and meaningfully (for work that really deserves recognition for example) rather than as a matter of course, will help to encourage and motivate children in the classroom.
For recognition that spreads to the entire school, certificates which are presented in a semi-formal manner can also encourage children.
Perhaps, for the same reasons, the poor teachers should receive certificates themselves.