Changing Your Practice Takes Practice

Do you ever feel like you want to change an aspect of your teaching practice but are frustrated when you try something new?

On average, a teacher needs to practice a new skill 20 times before mastering it. This number increases if the skill is exceptionally complex.

The biggest challenge in learning a new skill is not in learning it, but in implementation. For example, learning about riding a bicycle is much simpler than actually riding a bicycle.

Changing one's practice is further complicated by the fact that most teachers only change their underlying beliefs after they see success with students.  This creates a catch-22 situation where teachers often abandon a practice before they are able to master the skill and are see success with their students.

Give yourself grace when you try to implement a new practice that has been shown to enhance student learning.

Want to learn more?  Check out Allison Gulamhussein's "Teaching the Teachers" report published by the Center for Public Education.