What do you do if your teaching methods are not effective and you want to improve professionally?

As a superintendent in a turnaround rural mountain school district, I watched our teachers engage in the humble and powerful work of reflection and continuous improvement. They knew that their work supported our students to become their best selves. Not only were they teaching every day, they were creating more social justice in the world.

The first step would be to reflect on your practice. Do a SWOT analysis of your pedagogical processes to determine what works and what requires improvement. Next, gain further insight from colleagues and students as you seek to understand what has to change and what you need to do to change it. Once you have a clear understanding of the areas that you need to improve in, seek out professional development that targets these areas. This can be through mentorship or coaching programs, workshops as well as short courses. Also seek out informal ways to enhance your pedagogy by joining organizations and/or groups for teachers in your discipline and collaborating with colleagues through various avenues such as peer observations and team teaching.

Regularly collect feedback from your students and colleagues to identify areas for improvement. Focus on teaching strategies and educational innovations.

I think one of the most practical effective way is class visits= peer observations when you learn from others and apply what you noticed.

Invest in yourself. This kind of investment never fails to give you the best possible returns in the future. You can attend the workshops, going to the conferences, taking courses, etc. which eventually leads you to your final goal which is nothing but make improvements professionally. Seek experience as much as possible.

Gaining insights and expanding knowledge will bear fruits only if put into practice. Give a concrete shape to your new ideas and acquired skills, if you want to improve professionally. It's time to shun traditional teaching methods, and embrace experimentation and technology. Experiment with pedagogies and integrate technology into teaching. Incorporate interdisciplinary and collaborative approach for professional growth. Be adaptable and flexible to keep pace with the changing trends in the education sector. Observe minutely, think critically, and develop a logical and systematic approach to education.

Be enthusiastic to learn, and seek out professional growth opportunities to grow professionally. Enthusiasm often fuels creativity, leading to innovative teaching strategies and techniques. An inspired teacher is passionate about teaching, and can ignite a passion for learning. He/she inspires and engages students, resulting in enhanced productivity. To stay motivated and inspired surround yourself with people who uplift and encourage you. Read books, listen to podcasts or watch TED talks on teaching, which have a positive impact, and help you improve. An enthusiastic teacher is well equipped to handle challenges and accomplish goals. So, stay motivated and inspired for personal and professional growth.