Team Support: Essential for Creating a Better Teacher

As teachers, our summer days are dwindling down and we will soon be back in the classroom (if we have not been yet setting up for the new school year). Similar to students, teachers have a lot of dreams and hopes for the new school year. At this time, we dream of creating a classroom of acceptance and creativity. We hope the children will be eager and energized to learn when entering our classroom. Throughout the year, we hope students make large strides in their education. By the end, we hope to have been a positive influence upon each student that walked through our door. In essence, we dream for our students to move forward in life.

But our efforts may seem fruitless at points throughout the year. Whether these moments develop from standardized testing, parent and student complaints, administration, political atmosphere, or any other area, as teachers, we must stand together to support each other. Our support for fellow professionals will push all of us to be our best, which in the end, will benefit our students (our true purpose for teaching).

I start my sixth year of teaching this year. The most important and influential pieces of my teaching have come from the words of my comrades. These teachers listen to my successes and failures, guiding me to improve in my weak areas. They listen to me when I am at my lowest points and I need to vent, encouraging me to move forward. Without their help, I would not be the teacher that I am today.

For this new school year, I hope you have the same support in place as I do. If not, try to begin creating a positive and supportive atmosphere in your school. We have enough outside, negative forces that we have to contend with already. Being a positive influence may a be a beacon of light for those having trouble this school year. By supporting each other, we can make each other better teachers, creating a better experience for our students.