Teaching is a journey filled with highs and lows. There was a time when I felt my passion for education waning, and my classroom management was slipping. It was a challenging period, and I even considered quitting. I realized that to reignite my enthusiasm and enhance my students’ learning experiences, I needed to make some significant changes.
Making changes is never easy, but if you focus on improving and becoming even just a little BETTER every single day, it becomes obtainable.
Here are five transformations that saved my career in Education.
1. Embrace Backward Planning
In the past, I often found myself scrambling for lesson plans, sometimes reusing materials without a clear connection to my students’ current needs. This approach led to disjointed lessons and missed learning opportunities.
To address this, I adopted backward planning:
- Define Clear Learning Targets: Before starting a unit, I set specific, measurable objectives that I wanted my students to achieve. I know this gets touted as a waste of time, however if done properly it can absolutely improve instruction.
- Develop Mastery Questions: For each target, I crafted thought-provoking questions to guide exploration and assessment.
- Align Activities and Assessments: I ensured that every lesson and assignment directly supported these targets, creating a cohesive learning experience.
This method not only streamlined my planning, but also made my instruction more purposeful and effective.
2. Empower Students to Set Their Own Pace
I used to dictate the pace of learning, moving on to new topics regardless of whether all students had mastered the current material. This often left some students behind and others disengaged.
To allow students to set their own pace, I:
- Provided Clear Learning Targets & Objectives: Students knew exactly what they were expected to learn.
- Offered Resources and Support: I provided materials and assistance tailored to their individual needs.
- Encouraged Self-Assessment: Students regularly evaluated their own progress, fostering a sense of ownership over their learning.
This shift not only increased student engagement, but also improved academic performance and behavior.
3. Maintain a Purposeful and Organized Classroom
My classroom was once cluttered with outdated posters and random decorations, which distracted from the learning environment.
I decided to:
- Remove Unnecessary Items: I cleared out non-essential materials to create a more focused space.
- Organize Materials Efficiently: I set up designated areas for resources, making it easier for students to access what they needed.
A well-organized classroom not only enhances learning, but also sets a standard for students to follow. This also allowed my classroom systems to run more smoothly, reducing my overall stress.
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4. Foster a Growth Mindset
I realized that my approach to mistakes was influencing my students’ attitudes toward learning.
Instead of viewing errors as failures, I:
- Encouraged Risk-Taking: I created a safe environment where students felt comfortable making and learning from mistakes.
- Modeled Resilience: I shared my own challenges and how I overcame them, demonstrating that setbacks are part of the learning process.
This shift in perspective led to increased student resilience and a more positive classroom atmosphere. One of my favorite phrases is that “F.A.I.L.” stands for “First Attempt In Learning.” Encouraging forward progress through trial and error.
5. Prioritize Self-Care and Balance
I used to bring work home every night, sacrificing personal time and well-being.
Recognizing the importance of balance, I:
- Set Boundaries: I designated specific times for work and personal activities, ensuring I had time to recharge.
- Engaged in Hobbies: I pursued interests outside of teaching like endurance sports, which helped me return to the classroom refreshed. Since this time I’ve run multiple marathons and even finished an Ironman 70.3 race.
- Sought Support: I connected with colleagues and mentors to share experiences and strategies for managing stress.
Taking care of myself allowed me to be more present and effective for my students. Taking care of yourself is the first step in serving others effectively.
Implementing the Grid Method
To integrate these changes, I developed a system called The Grid Method.
This framework:
- Organizes Learning: It structures content into manageable units, each with clear objectives and assessments put into a tiered progressions that students work through.
- Empowers Students: It allows students to progress at their own pace, fostering independence and responsibility.
- Enhances Engagement: It incorporates varied learning activities that improve engagement as well as increases student ownership and autonomy which improves their willingness to learn and engage in the learning process.
The Grid Method transformed my teaching practice, leading to improved student outcomes and a renewed passion for education.
Reflecting on these changes, I realize that teaching is an evolving journey. Embracing change, staying organized, fostering a growth mindset, and prioritizing self-care are essential for personal and professional growth. By continually adapting and seeking improvement, we can create learning environments where both educators and students thrive.
It is sharing this message and these strategies that has become my new mission. I want to see every teacher, student, school and district thrive by helping share what made my classroom successful and what saved my career.
About Chad Ostrowski
Chad Ostrowski is the co-founder of the Teach Better Team, and creator of The Grid Method. He is also a co-author of the Teach Better book. But Chad is a middle school science teacher at heart. He now travels the country sharing his story, working with teachers, schools, and districts to help them to reach more students.
