Teaching Tip #125

Teacherscribe’s Teaching Tip #125

The more I’ve sought out professional development and personal growth materials, the more I see a great connection between the world of (successful) business and the world of education.

So when I came across this article on the 5 reasons 8 out of 10 Businesses Fail, I immediately wondered if it could be applied to why teachers fail.

Turns out it can.  There are some nice parallels.

Reason #1 – Teachers (or businesses) aren’t really in touch with students (or customers) through deep dialogue.

Many students tune out when they don’t feel like they either connect with the material or matter to the teacher (or both).  I know older teachers will scoff at this.  I don’t blame them.  This is not education as they were taught, nor is it education as they knew it for much of their career.

But times have changed, and this newest generation of students wants to have a relationships with everything in their lives.  This includes, of course, teachers and school.

The solution – Find ways to get to know your students and talk to them – not as students, but as if they were your sons or daughters or players.  Level with them.  Let your freak flag fly so that they connect with you.  Do that, and you will be well on your way to winning them over and making your content more pertinent to them.