You're struggling with self-assurance in teaching. How can you build confidence in your practice?

There is a right way to prep and a wrong way to prep. Beginner teachers usually spend countless hours creating the perfect presentation or crafting the perfect lecture. Master teachers plan the student activities that require them to work and engage with the content. Preparation should be focused on thinking about what the students will be doing during your lesson.

Engage in regular practice teaching sessions with colleagues or fellow teachers to get feedback and refine your delivery. Recording yourself and watching the videos can also provide valuable insights. Embrace the power of storytelling to make complex topics more relatable and engaging. Sharing personal anecdotes or real-world examples can help you connect with students and make the content more memorable. Develop a growth mindset and view challenges as opportunities for improvement. Be open to feedback, learn from your mistakes, and continuously seek ways to enhance your teaching skills.

In my experience as an instructional coach, new teachers are only able to focus on one area of improvement at a time. So, while feedback is important, the type of feedback is critical. A teacher who struggles with confidence needs accurate feedback that focuses on one concrete improvement. Otherwise, the feedback can be overwhelming and debilitating.

Engage in self-reflection and journaling to identify your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth. Regularly reviewing your teaching experiences and documenting your progress can help you gain valuable insights and boost your self-awareness. Seek out mentorship opportunities with experienced educators who can provide guidance, share best practices, and offer personalized advice to help you navigate the challenges of teaching. Their wisdom and support can be invaluable in building your confidence. Leverage technology-driven tools such as virtual simulations, interactive whiteboards, or student response systems to enhance your teaching repertoire.

Regular reflection - particularly on the things that went well - will help improve your confidence and self-assurance. This will also help provide focused feedback. Depending on the source of the insecurity, reflection is a great way to track whether you are seeing progress and improvement in your teaching.

Reflecting often is a powerful way to build self-assurance in teaching. Take time after each class to assess what went well and what could be improved. By evaluating your lesson plans, student engagement, and your own performance, you gain insight into your strengths and areas for growth. This self-reflection allows you to address weaknesses constructively, learn from experiences, and continually improve. Embrace the practice of reflection, and watch your teaching confidence soar.

The best way to reflect on teaching is to examine the content mastery of students. A teacher may feel they did a good job, but students didn't learn anything. By looking at the assessments, a teacher can get concrete feedback on the effectiveness of a lesson.

Participate in collaborative lesson planning with colleagues who teach the same subject or grade level. Sharing ideas, resources, and best practices can help you develop a more robust and confident approach to teaching. Encourage student feedback through anonymous surveys or exit tickets to gain insights into their learning experiences and preferences. Engage in ongoing professional development opportunities, such as attending conferences, workshops, or online courses, to stay current with best practices, innovative teaching strategies, and emerging trends in education.

Professional relationships should come from multiple sources. First, and most important, build within your learning community. This includes engaging in team teaching, team lesson planning, and even allowing peers to observe and give feed back on your teaching. Second, join professional organizations within your discipline. Attending conferences and workshops allows for networking and trying out teaching practices with others, building confidence. Finally, consider engaging in social media or virtual teaching groups. Share videos of your work, student examples (Block names and identifiers), and ask questions. Creating a network of peers can build confidence and teaching skill simultaneously.

Utilize online platforms for professional learning communities, such as social media groups or online forums, to connect with educators globally and share best practices. Participate in virtual workshops or webinars to stay updated on the latest educational trends and methodologies, and to network with other educators. Create a personal learning network by following educational influencers, blogs, and podcasts to stay informed and inspired.

Engage in peer-to-peer mentoring programs where experienced educators share their expertise with newer teachers. This can help you gain practical insights and build confidence in your teaching abilities. Utilize educational podcasts to learn from experts in the field. Listening to podcasts can be a convenient and engaging way to stay informed about new trends and methodologies. Develop a personal learning network by following educational influencers, blogs, and social media accounts. This can help you stay current with the latest developments and innovations in education.

Building confidence in teaching can be challenging but immensely rewarding. Start by embracing continuous learning. Attend workshops and seek feedback from colleagues to improve your skills. Reflect on your successes. Keep a journal to document positive student interactions and achievements. Create a supportive network. Join teacher communities where you can share experiences and gain insights. Practice self-compassion. Accept that mistakes are part of growth. Over time, these strategies will bolster your self-assurance and enrich your teaching practice.

All of the research suggests that teachers don't feel like they're effective until they have five years of experience. Teaching is a difficult profession, and it takes time to master all the little things that are so important to effective instruction.