Skilled Teachers Matter!

I just finished reading, Good to Great to Innovate, by Sharratt and Harild. How could I resist this book, as the title bears resemblance to what is still one of my favorites of all time, Good to Great, by Jim Collins.

The books' core argument has been that innovation is not just about introducing a new thought or idea but also about applying it in practice. I am going to focus my reflection on Chapter 6, the title of which I have named this blog post, skilled teachers matter.

How many times have we heard the research shows, that a high-quality teacher, is the number one factor in student achievement? Have we really stopped and thought hard about the power of this statement? Student achievement increases with great teachers who focus their relationships, their work, and their learning on the core business of student learning. It isn't a 7am-3pm job. It is a calling, a commitment, a passion, to make a difference in the lives of all students. If you are a teacher reading this, and this isn't your servant mission, do yourself and your students a favor and just step away. Some people cringe as this may sound just too harsh, but the reality is that our students need and deserve teachers working good to GREAT to INNOVATE!

Sir Ken Robinson (2013) reminds us that "no system, no school, no program is better than its teachers. They are the engine of achievement. Great teachers mentor, motivate, stimulate, provoke, engage, and empower."

As you took time to re-charge over break and spend precious time with family and friends, what did you commit to that will make you a better teacher? What did you learn, read, or do...that you will take back to your classroom and positively impact the students that come back to you on Monday? Some of those impressionable minds will be eager to learn, and some will not. In today's world, change is inevitable. So, you are either constantly learning and changing, leading the way innovating by design or you are playing catch-up and therefore so are your students.

I have seen many New Year's resolutions and New Year's commitments splashed heavy over social media this week. For all the good teachers out there, commit to being GREAT, for yourself and most importantly for our students.