10 Tips to be an Outstanding Teacher

Imagine in your time as a student, standing up in a University lecture in front of a crowd of 600-800 students and giving a presentation on your social club before the lecturer started his class. That was me, completely embarrassing myself with stutters, mumbling whatever I could get out before ducking out. What was different with me was I kept doing it and took feedback from each of my friends to improve every time and will continue to do so for the rest of my life every time I teach. You must never stop becoming more qualified and it is certainly an industry that you want to be in with a 'burning desire'. Teaching does not have to be in a large audience and can be used when delegating tasks, meetings and in every step of life for empowerment.

'Outstanding teacher' is not a destination, it is a journey and you can never become more qualified for it. With over Eight (8) years of tertiary, organisational and TAFE teaching experience I have identified the top 10 Tips to be an outstanding Teacher:

1. Be An Outstanding Student: Keep increasing your knowledge, be a sponge and soak in as much moisture and always seek feedback on how you can improve in every way. You must examine your instructional practices everyday. Reflect. Gather feedback from students in every class and improve where required. I don't watch TV, only read and listen to audiobooks in the car when I'm driving. TV is chewing gum for the brain. Two hours a day equals 730 hours a year equivalent to full time university study or up to 20 books. Be smart with your time.
2. Communicate With Passion: No one wants to listen to a teacher who is boring, monotone, use minimal hand expression and not very animated... 'obviously what they are trying to get across does not seem to be exciting for them... how can it be possibly be exciting for me?' Passion for the subject is everything... it draws the crowd in and keeps their attention.
3. Set Clear Expectations of the Students from Day 1: I always set a very high expectations of all of my students and tell them I genuinely care about them but they need to work harder in the class and tell them why. A clear concise expectations of the whole course gives structure and overview of what is to cover and what they need to do in order to progress. Clarity is everything and setting goals together with your students can be very empowering.
4. Tell Your Students Why They Should Learn What You Are Teaching: As teachers we cannot assume that students already know why they need to learn what we are teaching. It is our responsibility to point out why the subject is critical for their success and how it will help them in their lives.
5. Create a 'FUN' And 'INCLUSIVE' learning environment: My classes are full of laughter, excitement, enthusiasm and passion as a result creating that culture and often changing the mindset of students who think teaching is boring. My belief you can make even most boring classes super interesting and exciting, it all depends on the Teacher. I always encourage humour as part of the learning process as you retain and remember more information as it is in fact 'memorable'. I consider myself an entertainer when I am teaching, so should you and carry your bag of tricks.
6. Be Professional, Courageous, Creative and Caring: These are the four pillars that are fundamental to teaching and getting the best results. 1. Professional: So they take you seriously and there is structure to what you do. 2. Courageous: Great teachers are comfortable with the unknown. 3. Creative: Important to show your flare and not always choose the tried and tested. 4. Caring: Listen and understand you audience and praise authentically of students doing the right thing.
7. Collaborate and Create a Student Voice: Your students have a voice and need to feel connected and involved in the process rather than being passive. Collaborate with activities, ask questions and address their questions for success.
8. Model What You Want to See in Your Students: Model a hard working, professional and enthusiastic culture that is open to life and all of its learning. If not anything they become open to the world, you have at least achieved some results. You will find students will want to model you and want to be more like you.
9. Integrate Technology: Students get turned off by any teachers who calls themselves one but has not made an effort to learn about technology and often fiddling around with a computer and giving lazy excuses like 'you know me and computers... hahaha...' IT students will certainly lose respect for you but more importantly use of technology such as Kahoot!, online quiz or interactive online sites will certainly make it more exciting, inclusive and a fantastic atmosphere to have fun and learn too.
10. Humble to Making Mistakes: We are all human beings and you need to let your students know that so that they know it is OK too. Self-deprecating humour along with inspiring speeches gets them motivated but what really earns their respect is if you own up to your mistakes and display an unshakable level of integrity.

I probably have not done teaching as long as many of the teachers out there but one thing I understood is you have to have constant and never ending attempt to be more qualified in what you do or you fall behind. Your age do not define your wisdom, it is what you have experienced and how you have evolved in those years :)