Getting the Quiet Teacher to Share

What I Learned In School Today: Encourage the quiet teachers to share what they are doing in their classrooms.

The teachers in my school do a terrific job everyday. They are committed to their students and are passionate about making sure every child gets what they need. There are also many teachers who use various tools and techniques to engage and empower their students in learning, which leads to meaningful learning experiences.

It’s common to ask teachers to share something they are doing at a faculty meeting. Often the more outspoken or innovative teachers will not hesitate to step in front of the crowd and share something great that is going on in their classrooms. This is fantastic, but the extroverts of the group are not the only teachers with great ideas who successfully support kids. Some people are reluctant to speak in front of a group or share what is going on in their classrooms, but in the age of social media, it is critical and possible that we connect with one another and learn. Remember to tap into the skills and styles of the quiet teachers who may be reluctant to share. While I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable speaking in front of a group, I want the quieter teachers to know their contributions are valuable. All teachers should be connected, but some need a bit more support.