Setting Goals as a Teacher

I am always trying to grow as a teacher and as a person.  Because of this, I am always setting goals for myself to help guide myself to betterment.  Also, in the state I teach in, the teacher evaluator tool requires us to set goals to meet over the evaluation cycle.  (The cycle is either one year or two years)  Here are some tips for setting goals for yourself whether you are required to by your district or you just want to be your best.

Setting Professional Goals

A professional goal is something that you want to change about yourself as a teacher.  Whether it has to do with the way you interact with other teachers.  Or with the organization of your office, your files, or your supplies.  A professional goal has little to do with the students themselves, and more to do with who you are as a teacher.  We will get to goals relating to students next.

When you are setting a goal for yourself as a teacher, first start by listing the things that you think you do well.  I like starting with this because I am not just picking on my weaknesses, but I am also appreciating my strengths.  Once you have listed 5-10 things that you think that you’re good at, start listing 5-10 things that you think you could improve on.

Keep in mind organization, preparation, your relationships with your co-teachers and colleagues, your relationships with your superiors, how you interact with parents.

Once you have created a list of what you feel are areas in which you can improve, start thinking of ideas to improve in those areas.

Focus on one or two areas, what are small things that you can do to improve those areas?

I like to write them down as though I have already achieved them.  I get this idea from Rachel Hollis, seriously check her out!

“I leave work with a clean desk every day.”

“I am patient and kind to all of my students.”

Setting Student Learning Goals

Student learning goals focus on your students.  In what area do you want your students to improve?  Do you want them to utilize their strategies more consistently?

You can look for areas in which they need to improve by looking through pre-assessments.  Or you can look through their IEPs.  Look for areas where there is a common weakness.

Setting Personal Goals

Part of being the best teacher I can also mean taking care of myself.  When I am at my best, I am more focused and more patient with my students.  I know that I feel my best when I am eating healthy, moving my body, and getting sleep.

Think of the best ways that you can improve yourself outside of school.  Do you need to be getting more exercise?  Do you need to revamp your diet?  Do you need to be taking more time for self-care?

Pick a few areas where you want to improve and set goals for yourself in those areas.

Also, Check-Out:

How to Become a Teacher Blogger!

Tips for Preventing Teacher Burn-Out