Meraki Business Consulting Group’s Post

Welcome to the second in our series of blogs from our Education Partners here at Step Into Teaching! 🎓 Choosing between Further Education (FE), secondary and primary schools can be tricky, but it's important to find the fit that matches your aspirations. Each path offers distinct experiences and rewards, so let's take a closer look! In Further Education (FE), you'll work with students over 16, including young adults, mature learners, and industry professionals. This diversity brings a dynamic and engaging classroom environment where practical, hands-on skills are often emphasised. Subjects range from A-levels and basic skills to vocational courses like hairdressing and engineering. This variety allows you to use industry expertise to provide real-world training. Leadership opportunities are plenty, with roles such as curriculum manager or head of department. On the work-life balance front, FE teachers often enjoy greater flexibility, though holiday times can be shorter. In contrast, primary and secondary school teachers guide students aged 4-18 through their formative years. These roles require strong curriculum management and classroom skills tailored to developmental stages. Career progression can lead to positions like Head of Year or Headteacher, primarily within the national curriculum framework. The structured work week is balanced by longer holidays, although workloads can be heavy outside of classroom hours. Whether you are a new graduate or an experienced teacher, picking the right environment is crucial. If you thrive in structured settings with younger students, primary or secondary teaching might be your calling. If you prefer a flexible role with a diverse student body focused on practical skills, FE could be your ideal destination. Explore more about your teaching career options and how to get started at Step Into Teaching. Let's make your teaching dream a reality! 📚💡✨ #TeachingCareer #Education #CareerProgression

Teacher Appreciation Post #4: Teachers as Learners Today let's celebrate teachers for their unwavering commitment to continuous learning and innovation. Teaching is not static; it's a dynamic craft that evolves with each passing day, and it's the teachers who embrace this ethos of lifelong learning who truly shine. Consider the new reading research that has emerged in recent years. As new research sheds light on the science of reading, teachers are reimagining their approaches to literacy instruction, incorporating evidence-based practices and strategies that have the potential to transform the way we teach reading. But here's the thing: the field of education is vast and complex, and there's still so much we don't know. From the neuroscience of learning to the psychology of motivation, there's a wealth of knowledge waiting to be uncovered. And it's the teachers who eagerly engage with this research, who seek out new insights and perspectives, who are best positioned to drive positive change in their classrooms and beyond. Moreover, teaching is as much an art as it is a science. It's about finding the delicate balance between theory and practice, between structure and creativity. It's about knowing when to stick to the tried-and-true methods and when to venture into uncharted territory in search of new approaches and innovations. What sets great teachers apart is their willingness to embrace this spirit of exploration and discovery. They're the ones who attend professional development workshops, engage in collaborative inquiry with colleagues, and experiment with new ideas and strategies in their classrooms. They're the ones who understand that teaching is not just a job; it's a calling—a lifelong journey of growth and discovery. So, as we honor teachers this week, let's not only celebrate their expertise and professionalism but also their insatiable curiosity and thirst for knowledge. To all the teachers who continually seek to deepen their understanding of the art and science of teaching: thank you. Your commitment to learning, your openness to innovation, and your dedication to your craft inspire us all. You are the true pioneers of education, shaping the future with wisdom, creativity, and boundless enthusiasm.

“No matter how excellent and how experienced you are, we often don’t create opportunities for teachers to really lead. You have to leave the classroom and become a principal, and so we have to think about how we can make the profession more dynamic, more sustainable, more joyful, and, ultimately, more impactful for kids.” In a new article from Laura Aka at WorkingNation, Leading Educators CEO Chong-Hao Fu reflects on what it will take to have a teaching profession that lives up to students' potential. He says, “Teaching can be a very isolating profession in terms of how often you actually get to work with adults. In designing schools that are more collaborative and where adults actually get more time to do their best work and practice together, we have seen overwhelmingly positive feedback." Read the article:  https://hubs.la/Q02V4W6d0

Professional Development (PD) days for teachers are designated times set aside for educators to enhance their skills, collaborate with peers, and engage in learning opportunities outside of the regular curriculum. Here are some key components and benefits of PD days: Key Components: 1. Workshops and Seminar: Teachers can participate in specialized workshops that focus on new teaching strategies, educational technologies, or specific content areas. 2. Collaborative Planning: PD days often include time for teachers to collaborate on lesson planning, share resources, and develop unit plans across grade levels or subjects. 3. Guest Speakers: Educators may invite experts in education or related fields to inspire and provide fresh perspectives on teaching practices. 4. Reflection and Goal Setting: Teachers are encouraged to reflect on their practices, assess their professional growth, and set goals for future development. 5. Networking Opportunities: PD days allow teachers to connect with colleagues, fostering a sense of community and support within the educational environment. Benefits: - Improved Teaching Practices - Enhanced Student Outcomes: - Increased Job Satisfaction - Adaptation to Change By effectively utilizing PD days, schools can ensure that their educators are well-equipped to provide the best education possible to their students. #PD #teacher #Math #Development #School #Classroom_managemt #CHAMPS #Cognita #International #Teaching #Dasman #DBS #Kuwait #Education #Professional

🎯Setting Clear Expectations 🎯 As we kick off a new academic year, one of the most important tasks for teachers is setting clear expectations during that integral first week. Establishing a strong foundation for learning not only helps maintain a positive and focused environment but also fosters a sense of security and clarity among learners. 🤷♀️ Why is this so important? Creating a structured learning environment begins with clear communication of expectations. These expectations go beyond just behaviour – they can encompass academic standards, collaboration norms, and the learning journey itself. For young adults transitioning from secondary education, clear expectations help them develop autonomy, confidence, and responsibility for their own learning. 🔧 How? • Collaborate with students • Keep it simple • Positive framing • Be a role model • Review and reinforce The first week is pivotal – it’s where positive classroom culture is built. Setting expectations that are high in standard, clear, reasonable, and communicated with care can empower students to thrive throughout the year. #TeachingAndLearning #FurtherEducation #FE

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ASKED BY YOUR STUDENTS WHY YOU CHOSE TO BE A TEACHER?🎓 Our response to this question can leave a lasting impact. Depending on your background, you might fall into one of these three categories: 1. The Educated Educator: Those who studied education and always intended to teach 🎒. 2. The Accidental Teacher: Those who didn’t plan to teach but found themselves in the role by chance 🍀, possibly viewing it as a temporary job 😂. 3. The Passionate Convert: Those who stumbled into teaching but grew to love it over time 💖. No matter your path, it’s important to show passion when answering this question. Students are perceptive; they seek teachers who are committed and passionate. Your enthusiasm can inspire them and build their respect for you. Whether teaching was your first choice or not, convey that you find meaning and fulfillment in it. Inspire Confidence 🌟✅ When students see that you love what you do, it encourages them to engage more deeply in their own learning. A positive, passionate response fosters a supportive classroom environment where students feel valued and motivated. 📌 In conclusion, whatever brought you to teaching, let your passion shine through. Your dedication can positively influence your students' respect and motivation. #education #learning #portharcourtschools #digitalcreator #digitaleducator #schoolsinnigeria #educationmatters

I love the simplicity of this. This approach is so powerful in helping learners feel safe and that they belong, building a great framework for learning

📚 Key Elements to Consider for the New School Year📚 As we gear up for another exciting school year, it's essential to reflect on the key elements that can set us up for success. Here are some important considerations to keep in mind: 1. Goal Setting: Establish clear and achievable goals for both students and educators. Whether it’s academic achievements, personal growth, or community involvement, having defined objectives helps guide our focus. 2. Curriculum Planning: Evaluate and update the curriculum to include relevant, engaging materials that meet the diverse needs of our students. Incorporating technology and real-world connections can enhance learning. 3. Building Relationships: Strong relationships between educators, students, and parents are vital. Fostering a supportive environment encourages collaboration and creates a sense of belonging for everyone involved. 4. Professional Development: Investing in our professional growth ensures we remain effective and innovative teachers. Attend workshops, collaborate with peers, and stay informed about the latest educational trends. 5. Emphasizing Mental Health: Prioritize the mental well-being of both students and staff. Create an environment where open communication and support are encouraged, helping everyone thrive academically and emotionally. 6.Flexibility and Adaptability: The landscape of education is constantly changing. Stay open to new ideas and be willing to adapt your strategies to meet the evolving needs of your classroom and community. Let’s make this school year one of growth, connection, and inspiration! What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming year? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🌟 #NewSchoolYear #Education #Teaching #GoalSetting #ProfessionalDevelopment #MentalHealth

https://lnkd.in/gKzme7KX I don't agree with everything in this talk, but it's spot-on at its core. We must get back to an obsession with good teaching and #studentachievement. #𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐦 is important. I have been a student in classrooms where teachers have talked about my skin, and I have had teachers in K-5 who saw me underperform on tasks, rolled their eyes (these were schools in the south), and pushed me straight to SPED but the turning point for me came with a transition to a London Primary school where a teacher took one look at my work and said "𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝑴𝒓. 𝑺𝒂𝒐, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒊𝒕 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒊𝒙 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒚 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒌" that had never happened before.......my trajectory changed dramatically after that and I wish my early teachers did what she did for me. 𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐭 (𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐳𝐲); 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 #𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭'𝐬 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒇 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 #𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 #𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 #𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. #𝐃𝐄𝐈 is essential; we have to guard against our natural bias and be intentional with #culture because, left to our own devices, it is rare to build #𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘴 and teams that don't exclude people, but the pendulum has swung too far the other way. It takes effort, time, and training to enter a profession; teachers need to train intensively for about two years to credential, admins need to have teaching experience of 5-8 years and then build an understanding of leadership, management, and decision-making processes to lead our schools well, getting rid of the standards isn't the answer, we can't cut corners. As an #educator, I don't have time to make excuses; I love my students. I want them to do well, which requires a firm understanding of my craft and high expectations for each student. If I can't teach reading well or produce proficient writers, I am not doing my job, which means there is no room for excuses, pseudo-intellectual arguments, and busy work; if I miss the mark with instruction and students don't perform well, that is on me as a classroom teacher because I hold myself accountable as a professional. To love students is to hold them to high expectations, and I cannot depart from that. Bring back the rigor, minimize the distractions, excuses, and apologetics, and see what is possible. #noexcuseleader #standardsbased

"Preparing for a New Academic Year: Essential Steps for Teachers As the summer winds down and the new academic year approaches, teachers are gearing up for another exciting journey of learning and growth. To ensure a smooth and successful start, here are some essential steps to consider: * Reflect on the Past Year: Take time to reflect on the previous year's successes and challenges. Identify areas where you can improve your teaching methods and classroom management. * Set Clear Goals: Establish specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for the upcoming year. These goals can focus on student achievement, professional development, or classroom organization. * Organize Your Classroom: Create a well-organized and inviting learning environment. Ensure that materials are easily accessible and that the space is conducive to learning. * Review Curriculum and Standards: Familiarize yourself with the new curriculum and standards for the upcoming year. Understand the expectations and requirements for your grade level and subject area. * Prepare Engaging Lessons: Develop engaging and effective lesson plans that align with the curriculum and meet the diverse needs of your students. Incorporate a variety of teaching strategies to keep students motivated and interested. * Build Relationships with Students: Take the time to get to know your students and build positive relationships. Create a welcoming and inclusive classroom environment where students feel valued and supported. * Network with Colleagues: Connect with other teachers, mentors, or professional organizations to share ideas, seek advice, and stay updated on educational trends. By following these steps, teachers can set themselves up for a successful and rewarding new academic year. What are your tips for preparing for a new school year? Share your thoughts in the comments below! #education #teachers #backtoschool #teachingtips"