Develop patience as a teacher
For teachers, patience is not only a virtue, it is a way of life. But with so many frustrations, irritations and annoyances daily, how can you improve your patience? We all know that a patient teacher is seen as approachable, helpful and even necessary. Here are a few tips to develop patience as a teacher.
1. Self-care
This may sound obvious, but taking care of yourself is the glue that keeps everything together. To stay calm throughout the day, you have to be in a good space mentally, emotionally and physically. Simple strategies to take care of yourself include getting enough sleep, sticking to a healthy routine, and taking time off.
2. Classroom setup
Make sure your classroom is arranged for optimum performance and limited irritabilities. For example, if non-stop sniffling by students annoys you, make sure you have a box of tissues in every corner. Make sure naughty students do not sit together so that they cannot work as a team to get on your nerves. If the books are always out of order, develop a system where students take turns to neatly arrange them. There are various ways to set your classroom up in a more effective way and to your liking. Brainstorm and make your life easier!
3. Trigger points
Every time you feel impatient, note it down and try to identify what caused it. You may experience other symptoms, like hunger or thirst, that could be the root of the impatience. If you identify that you are impatient with a specific class or student, try to determine why and have a one-on-one discussion with the student or class to clear out the air. You may even identify that you are impatient during a certain time of the day, for example the last class in the afternoon. If this is the case, try to incorporate a fun activity to cheer yourself and the class up.
4. Listening is key
Do not listen to respond, listen to understand. Make the conscious decision to listen intently to your students before reacting and give them time to finish their thoughts. This will help you to respond in a clear and measured manner. Understanding a person will automatically help you to become more patient towards them.
5. Manage your emotions
You may not be able to control how you feel, but you can always control your behavior and how you react. When feeling impatient, try to physically relax your body, talk in a calm voice and move a little slower. You will immediately come across as being patient and will more easily get a grip on your feelings.
6. Be empathetic
Before reacting, always try to think the best of everyone and remind yourself that each person is trying to do his best. So when a student is interrupting you or getting on your nerves, remind yourself that he is probably trying his best in the particular situation. Instead of getting upset and reacting harshly, ask questions calmly and encourage self-reflection.
At the end of the day, kids will be kids and they will test your patience. It’s up to you to choose your reaction and to be an approachable, patient teacher. Always remember, one of the greatest assets that a teacher can have is patience.