One recurring question I get asked is, “what do you teach?”. The easy answer is that I teach art, design and technology. That’s what the syllabus and timetable demands. Teachers are rarely asked, “how do you teach?”. This post outlines how teachers and coaches work with our students.
Aside from knowing the subject and specialisation, good teaching and coaching draws on the field of positive psychology, resilience research, positive youth development work and the recent research into open classrooms. There are five common things I (we) strive to do – the mysterious how of teaching and coaching.
- connecting and developing caring relationships with students with high and explicit expectations
- organising and structuring instruction that facilitates deep learning in an environment clearly focused on meaningful learning that is important to students
- assisting students to clarify challenges and problems and respond to their needs
- promoting abilities for internal self-regulation and positive social skills
- developing strength based interventions for students with challenging behaviours
These are ‘things’ that good teachers – and coaches – constantly revisit, revise and review. Regardless of the age, stage, environment or students, these elements underpin the positive learning experiences we strive for daily.
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