New Years Resolutions for Teachers

Everyone makes them, including teachers. New Years resolutions are part of teachers lives just like everyone else. They have room to improve and get better with the new year. Here is a look at some of the top resolutions for teachers and how to go about achieving them.

Grade papers in a timely manner. All teachers struggle with this. You give a test one day and the students want to know how they did the next day. It's easy to give yourself extra time when you have so much going on. Make grading papers timely a priority and create a habit of doing so.

Improve Classroom management. Every teacher has room to become a better classroom manager. It's an ongoing process that doesn't stop until you retire. Look for areas in your management techniques that you can improve this year. In order to do this you have to be honest with yourself and possibly even seek the advice of a fellow colleague.

Have more engaging lessons for students. Sometimes you have great lessons and sometimes you don't. Every teacher can look at themselves and say I have opportunities to have more engaging lessons. Work with those around you, use the Internet and find other resources to find more engaging lessons that will keep your students involved in the learning.

Treat all students fairly. Teachers are human. Whether they realize it or not, they often have their favorites. They don't intentionally treat students unfairly but realistically it happens. This year seek to treat every student fairly. This includes disciplining those students that might be your favorites.

Be more consistent in discipline. What goes for one student should go for all. Take yourself and your feelings out of the equation. I like the motto of "a cup is a cup." In other words misbehavior is misbehavior, regardless of who is responsible for it. Learn to be more consistent in the disciplining of your students.