WGU FRESHMAN DREAMS OF BEING A STELLAR HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER

#engagementstory

By MAX LEISTEN

A great teacher doesn’t just give lessons, they change lives. And for one aspiring educator, the first lesson came before even stepping into a classroom.

Wanting to make a real impact, they reached out for guidance on becoming the kind of teacher students remember. The response was powerful: Eleven years of experience distilled into one truth, and that is that relationships matter.

In low-income communities, consistency is everything. Show up. Care. Be the rock students can rely on. Teaching isn’t about talking at students, it’s about showing them they matter. And if you’re already asking how to be great? You’re already on your way.

Keep it simple!

Max

The "ask"

I am a freshman at Western Governors University studying in the School of Education. I am particularly interested in exploring the intersection of education, low-income communities, and entrepreneurship.

I am reaching out to you today to seek advice on how I can best prepare myself for a high school teaching position. I am eager to develop my teaching skills and professional growth while still in school. I am looking for guidance on setting goals and identifying resources that will help me become an excellent teacher.

Thank you very much for your time and any insights you may have.

The "give"

Hi! This will be my 11th year in education and I have spent 10 of these years in a low-income area. I mention that because that was in your opening statement. What I can offer is that relationship and community building is most important in a tough area. The kids are great, their circumstances might not be. You have to be the difference. If they are used to inconsistency, then be the consistency. If they are used to no food at home, have some snacks on hand that they can take. If they are used to having nothing given, provide pencils, paper, whatever it takes.

I won with kindness. I gave to a community that had very little and they gave back with effort because they could see how much I cared. Be authentic about it too because they can tell who’s being fake. We all can.

To prepare, be ready to accept that some of these kids don’t know how to be a student in your room. Set reasonable, and enforceable boundaries and your kids will respect you for that. They crave consistency whether they show that or not. In a low income area everything about their lives can be a mystery but what happens with you doesn’t have to be.

Be their rock. Consistency is key. Be fair. Hold them accountable, and they will learn how to exist in your space. Build a community by finding out their interests and ask questions. You are a human, not a slideshow or YouTube video. Don’t forget to be human around your students.

Based on your question, I’m assuming that you are looking to work on a low income area but even if you aren’t, this advice works ten-fold in a more privileged community which is where I am now.

I love working with kids and if you do too then you are already on your way. I was amazed at how many bad teachers exist because they don’t like working with kids. They like to talk at people. That’s not teaching. Be a teacher.

Be the teacher you would want to go to and see everyday!

The feedback

He asked a great question. It was rewarding to get to share my insight and learning with him.

Ready to make it simple for everyone?

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