How can you tell if you're actually an effective, good teacher or if you just have extremely good kids?

Question

I'm about to end my first year as a 2nd grade teacher. At the beginning of the year my kids seemed unruly and I struggled to control and teach them. Now they're much better behaved and they actually seem to have learned some stuff.

I was feeling extremely confident and competent in my ablities as a teacher, but then I had a thought -- what if i just happened to get a great group of kids this year? What if next year, the kids are complete terrors and none of my methods from this year work?

I'm really scared because things were so bad at the beginning of the year for me, I considered quitting. But then the kids started to come around.

What if that doesn't happen next year?

Answer 1

It's normal to worry.  For 31 years, I worried the same thing.  Some years will be better than others; some will be worse.  Classes are just like that -- all the way through, as a matter of fact.  I don't know if it was "in the water" or what.

If you didn't worry, it would mean you didn't care.  Hang in there.  Every year, you get more experience which will help the next year -- and then, some years -- nothing you try will work the way you want it to.

Get together with some other teachers and "hang out".  You'll find the good ones have the same fears.

Answer 2

Every year you will have a different set of kids. Last year I thought my kids were low academically until I got this year's kids. I don't know about next year. I think that how I judge myself is by taking the student who was the lowest at the beginning of the year and seeing how far that students has come by the end. Even using that depends on how that student applied himself (or in spite of how the student applied himself).

Answer 3

;You will need to wait and see.If you get students with lower abilities all you need to do is to change your style to suit them.

if you are competent and reflective you should not worry so much so don't be discouraged you will find a way out.

Happy teaching.!

Answer 4

Quit before you get sucked into the trap.

I did, 31 years later I'm still doing it. d**n.  The kids don't get better.

Answer 5

Don't get nervous... even if this was a good group of kids, you saw a positive change in the situation.  Be proud of yourself!  I've taught for 10 years now and have figured out that even when you seem to "have it", the children will throw you a curve ball.  Just know that if you are positive, set high expectations, remain consistant, and plan wonderful lessons you will be successful.  Also, you actually lived through your first year of teaching... now you have enough knowledge to be dangerous! (LOL)  Keep up the good work... those kiddos need you!

Answer 6

If there was positive change then you facilitated it.  According to you, they weren't so great in September.

Unfortunately, it is often said that poor students have poor teachers, and great kids are, well, great, and will do well with anyone.  That really denegrates the role of teachers.

Answer 7

What if does! I think it is you teaching that turned these kids.