ordered">being original. I constantly look for ways to teach my students differently. There were times when I copied strategies from other teachers, even when they did not fit my own teaching style. Although I managed to get through those lessons, I could not sustain them. Eventually, I grew tired and disengaged. I realized that being myself in the classroom makes teaching more enjoyable. Choosing strategies that align with my personality not only makes teaching more bearable, but also more authentic and effective.

Renouncing teaching, not in the sense of giving up, but in redefining the role of the teacher. Being an educator in this generation is undeniably challenging. Students are surrounded by distractions that shorten their attention span. Renouncing teaching means shifting from simply delivering content to helping students learn. Traditional teaching methods still matter to me because they shaped who I am today through the good teachers I had. However, today’s students have access to information and experiences we did not have before, and there are things they already know that we do not. This reality reminds us that we are facilitators of learning. While mastery of the subject remains important, helping students learn on their own is even more powerful. As Benjamin Franklin said, “Tell me and I forget; teach me and I remember; involve me and I learn.”

Letting students make mistakes. Mistakes should not be treated as failures but as part of the learning process. When students are afraid to make mistakes, they become passive and hesitant to participate. By creating a classroom environment where mistakes are accepted and discussed, students gain confidence and develop a deeper understanding of the lesson. Allowing them to struggle, reflect, and correct their errors helps them become independent learners who are not afraid to take risks in learning.

How to be a Great Teacher