Just like a writer finds his/her writer’s voice, I see every teacher intern find his/her teacher voice. The concern on almost every student teacher’s mind when starting out is ‘classroom management. Totally understandable. How do you solely manage a group of 20-35 younger people inside a classroom so they are not only quiet and orderly enough not to cause disruptions in the building, but learn and show their learning?
While teacher interns learn techniques and strategies, t the most exciting moments are when they say, “I felt like a teacher!” For all the times I’ve seen this, I’ve learned to recognize when a person’s teacher voice and personality come out. There is a sureness, steadiness that comes from being true to who you are that kids recognize.
Once you find that teacher voice inside of you, it is always there to draw on when you need to capture a learner’s attention, interest, openness.
For me, working with both kids and adults of all ages, I draw from that same place.
And it only works when it is truly who I am, my voice, my presence, my self.