Why Are Setting Goals Beneficial For Teachers
MARY ANNE D. SAMPANG
As educators, one way to improve our practice is to make reflection an ongoing routine. At the end of each month or quarter, ask yourself: How are things going for you and your students who learn and think differently? What’s going well? What are the challenges? Then, think about how you’d like to grow as an educator and set goals. What would you like to change? What do you want to learn more about?
In my years of experience as a teacher, I’ve learned that setting teaching goals helps me become an effective teacher. What I do regularly is to focus on the work that needs to be done, like making lesson plans and communicating witg parents, for example.
I set a manageable teaching goal that is attainable, results-oriented, and time-bound.
Another part of becoming a goal-oriented teacher is having a growth mindset, described as a way of viewing challenges and setbacks. People who have a growth mindset believe that even if they struggle with certain skills, their abilities aren’t set in stone. They think that with work, their skills can improve over time.
We can encourage students to also have this mindset, by sharing our goal with our students. Depending on your goal, consider including your students in the process. Gather their feedback about your focus area through class conversations, one-on-one chats, or surveys. For example, you can give your students a survey to find out how distance learning is going. Let them know you value their input. In return, you can also give them your feedback on their learning, as this will help them improve themselves.
It’s integral to set aside time at the end of each month or quarter to reflect on your progress. Use a notebook to jot down observations and write your ideas. Ask yourself how your work has impacted your students. What challenges have you worked through? What successes have you found? Is it time to move on to a new teaching goal?
At first, it might feel like you don’t have the extra time for this reflection. But once you start doing it and see the benefits, goal-setting can become a natural part of your teaching practice.
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The author is Teacher III at Tinajero Elementary School - Proper