What is heart? Passion, desire,
and drive combined to form an intense intrinsic motivation to act. This is the
foremost quality of a good teacher and the first thing I look for in a teacher
on my staff.
As I conducted countless professional development sessions, created numerous
growth plans, and counseled teachers in coaching sessions, it became apparent
that the heart of a teacher is what matters—everything else can be taught. For
some reason— maybe the seemingly short workday, frequent vacations, or job
stability—professionals flock to the field of education. These newcomers to
teaching are from all professions such as accounting, business, engineering, and
some are even new graduates from college. Not all of these transitions are
willing; some are desperate in light of harsh economic times and they feel,
“Since I have a degree, I can teach”.
Unfortunately, the salary of a teacher hardly makes the job worth it. Therefore,
in the schools we see apathy, burnout, and despair in teachers who really did
not want to be in the classroom in the first place. Yet, we are stuck with them.
Despite advanced degrees and certifications, no amount of professional
development and coaching could make these teachers better because their heart is
not in it, though they keep teaching year after year.
On the other hand, take a new teacher, one who has always wanted to help
children and teach, yet has little or no experience and may not even be
certified. Who would you rather on campus? Many would choose the veteran who has
experience, but at what cost? In this age of society, education is continually
changing, evolving, moving steadily towards putting (and keeping) the student
first, and campuses need teachers who are willing to do the same, teachers with
heart.
This “heart” that good teachers possess moves them to continually put students
first. This naturally leads these teachers to attend whatever professional
developments, listen to whatever advice, and employ whatever strategies
necessary for the benefit of their students. This motivation to adapt and evolve
cannot be taught and does not automatically accompany a certificate of
certification.
Teachers who possess heart take heed to counsel and advice. They embrace new
teaching models, such as co-teaching and technology in the classroom. They
self-evaluate, study, research, observe, and adjust, all without prodding from
department heads and administration. They are thirsty for information and seek
to not only hone their skills, but to share them with others. Students cannot
help but benefit from these teachers who are open, resourceful, and ready to
learn.
Where do you find teachers like this, ones who possess the heart of a teacher?
They are probably already on your campus, waiting for an ignition to their fire
by supportive administration and staff or are already taking the lead in
producing student achievement and simply making good things happen. Otherwise,
they are fresh out of school or working an unfulfilling job in another industry,
seeking to get onto your campus as soon as possible. Keep your eye out for
teachers like these because only this kind of teacher, a teacher with heart,
will ultimately bring about student achievement and success.