How to support teachers

Teaching is demanding, often with little reward. It can get frustrating when things start piling up on you. No one knows this more than another teacher. That’s why it’s so important to support the teachers in your life. When you support teachers, you help build communities and shape the future.

The struggle is real

I’ve worked in many places around the world. Some have great resources to work with, all the latest technology and up-to-date resources. Other places have little more than an old chalkboard and some paper. No matter what your situation is in the classroom, it’s important to know that you aren’t alone and that the most important thing is your students are learning something and enjoying the experience.

Don’t forget to read: 4 language challenges and how to solve them

I often read online comments in ESL teaching groups and forums about teachers looking for help or answers and instead of getting the help they seek, someone comments on the misuse of a word, or a small typo in the post. Sometimes they question if the person is actually a teacher. This isn’t the way we should treat each other.

Teaching English isn’t a competition to see who has better knowledge of the most obscure (and sometimes obsolete) grammar rules or lexical knowledge. We are teachers, so we should all be very aware of how important it is to make mistakes and find answers. If this is the way you are responding to your fellow educators, how are you handling mistakes and questions in your own classroom?

What to remember

There is no need to be a native speaker of English to teach it. One of the best ways to learn something is by actually teaching it. Teachers whose native language is something other than English might have an advantage. English is a dynamic and changing language; being a lifelong student of it could give you an edge. Those of us who take it for granted often become stuck arguing about old rules and uses of words that barely exist anymore.

My point is that no one has an advantage over the other, we’re all in the same boat. We have to lift each other up, support each other and help show just how important learning is and how imperative it is to respect and support teachers all over the world.

This post titled Outstanding in Your Field: What It Takes to Be a Great Teacher by Ben Johnson expresses exactly what it’s like for many teachers. It’s a struggle sometimes, and we need the support of our colleagues and friends. Let’s all be there for the teacher in our lives.