How does a great teacher develop?

In the profession of teaching a teacher must constantly be evolving. Teachers are held to higher standard because they are teaching the next generations. The question posed is how do great teachers become great? There was a news story that was given: What made a great teacher? A great teacher will make sure their students are keeping up, they will change their lesson plans if they are not working, and they set high expectations for ALL students. In today's discussion there will be a look at how great teachers become great through the development process. There will be the look at the beliefs teachers have and how they influence how they teach.

The beliefs teachers have play a huge role in how they teach. The majority of prospective teachers have great confidence and are optimistic. Then the classroom shock hits, and they claim no one prepared them for this. These teachers usually end up quitting. The ones that don't end up quitting usually will gain more confidence with time. In the beginning prospective teachers believe they have to tell or explain the content. Teaching is definitely more complex. The experience is the classroom is one of the most vital tools a teacher can have, but it is not really enough. Prospective teachers think they will learn teaching when they are in the classroom. Teachers must have the experience, research and theories that they can  apply to the classroom. The knowledge the teacher gains in a subject does not always mean that they will be able to translate it to their students. In all these beliefs there is a hope, but as prospective teachers there must be the realistic look at what lies ahead.

The first year of teaching is the real awaking for most first year teachers. The teachers face the chaos of students and the teaching environment. There can be loneliness and isolation. Often there is focus more on non-teaching duties, leaving little time for planning, and no time for themselves. The first year can also be a great adventure, and so rewarding. The beliefs teachers have about themselves and what they can do realistically will evolve with time as long as the teacher is willing to evolve.