I’m an Alternate Route teacher. That means that I did not go to college to become a teacher. I went to college, worked in industry, and then decided to enter the education field.
While studying in the Alternate Route teacher program, I confess that I struggled with some ideas. Certain turns of phrase eluded my understanding. There is an abundance of jargon as educators try to educate future educators in the process of education. Yeh, I just said that.
Three years into teaching, I have had the privilege to work with three very different student bodies in districts with widely diverse socio-economic demographics. Although I would like to be in a tenured position by next year, I confess that the changing needs of each district has enabled me to earn more experience in a shorter time than if I had stayed in one district throughout.
I don’t dare claim to be an expert educator, but I do think that I can offer an exceptionally insightful observation about what makes an exceptional educator. As a direct result of my earlier career and education in marketing, I think the thing that separates good teachers from exceptional teachers is LISTENING.
Studying marketing and learning the importance of understanding one’s market has made me question how to apply what I learned during the alternate route teacher preparation program to my classroom instruction.
I know my content thoroughly. What I need to learn is my audience. Each class and each student need something different. If I listen, I can address them and their needs effectively. Effectively addressing students’ needs enable a good educator to become an exceptional educator.
That is my answer to the question: “Describe the skills or attributes you believe are necessary to be an outstanding teacher.”
Christine Heinicke 