Being the best teacher that you can be!

I love Gay Pinnell's article because she discusses what I believe to be one of the most important and reoccuring issues in the education world. Pinnell discusses how too often, teachers run into problems of being effective teachers because of restraints like changes in administration, overruling ideas and approaches, students and teachers coming and going, etc. She suggests that even though there are some things that cannot be avoided, there ARE still daily decisions that teachers can make that will greatly benefit their students.

The 8 main principles that Pinnell offers are:

1. Learn about learning
2. Put your theory into action
3. Establish inquiry as an integral part of your teaching
4. Use research-based practices to put extra energy into making them work
5. Put your theory to work in the classroom
6. Take every opportunity to create community
7. Enjoy reading and writing with your students
8. Imagine a future and work toward

I love this idea that even though there are, and always will be, struggles that teachers will face and not be able to get around, there are still so many ways that they can still be effective for their students. All it takes is small daily decisions to have an impact on every student and make literacy a part of their lives. This will be important for me to remember as a teacher so that I do not give in to the restrictions of my school and give up on trying to be the best teacher that I can be.