10 Degrees of Teaching

As a teacher I am constantly assessing the learning environment of a classroom, in essence taking the temperature of any give situation.  This has now transferred over to my work with teachers.  I realized that I often view teachers and the teaching climate through this lens as well. Some things that I see are pretty obvious, I am always curious as to what is happening under the surface of teaching.  Below you will find 10 of my most recent observations.

1. Teachers Currently: are preparing for AIMS and asking themselves if it all boils down to one week of testing.
2. Teachers Wish for: genuine opportunities to learn and develop as professionals.
3. Teachers are Wondering: when it became acceptable to diminish the value of teachers in our society.
4. Teachers are Feeling: optimistic, they hope for the tides to turn and that their commitment to students makes a difference in their lives.
5. Teachers are Thankful for: the opportunity to guide learners in developing as creative and thoughtful individuals.
6. Teachers are Planning for: the next day, no matter how prepared a teacher leaves their classroom the previous week, each Monday arrives with a new set of ideas and many changes to previously drafted lesson plans and materials.
7. Teachers Need: support both financial and professional!
8. Teachers are Avoiding: having the hard conversations about the current status of the teaching profession.
9. Teachers are Craving: creativity, autonomy and time to truly reflect on their work.
10. Teachers are Missing: their voice as advocates of the profession, they are the only ones that truly know what students need.

Julie Torres

Julie Torres

Tucson, Arizona

My name is Julie Torres. I wasn’t always sure that I wanted to be a teacher; somewhere along the way I realized that teaching had been knocking at my door for a long time. I became a teacher because it felt natural; I remain a teacher because my students inspire me.

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