Trying to explain the impact good teachers have on a student’s successful learning experience is pointless. We already know that how educators behave in the classroom can define the future of their students, as teacher performance and learner outcomes are directly linked. In today’s article, we tackle how you, as an educator, can improve your performance in the classroom to, in turn, enhance your students’ wellbeing and academic performance. 

What does ‘classroom performance’ actually mean?

According to Education Think Pieces, teacher performance is perceived as ‘a set of actions, attitudes, and behaviors that result in learning for children. The more that children learn, the better the performance of the teacher is. Other factors include motivation and morale, incentives and rewards, accountability, and responsibility. These should all be linked together in a system for performance management.’

It’s about what a teacher does in the classroom to address each student’s learning needs, and how these techniques help them reach their full potential. Teacher performance can directly impact a pupil or student’s academic journey, and help them make progress, reach milestones, and achieve their educational goals. 

How is teacher performance measured?

Measuring performance for educators can be tricky, because it’s often a subjective matter. But there are certain ways to determine whether a teacher or tutor is performing their best in the classroom, and if there is potential for improvement. To assess a teacher’s performance in the classroom, you need to look at a few things first:

• What does the learning environment look like? Are we talking about classroom instruction or virtual learning? How many students are there?
• Who is the assessor?
• What are the materials used? Traditional learning resources or digital tools? Are teachers using assistive technology? 
• What are the students’ traits and needs? Do they struggle with a learning disability such as ADHD, dyslexia, or autism? Do they have any physical disabilities or mental health issues?

After we get the answers to all these questions, we may assess teacher performance by:

• Observing the educator in the teaching-learning environment
• Asking the students and the staff to fill in (anonymous) surveys 
• Looking at the teacher’s academic achievements and career journey
• Examining the teacher periodically through a test score

Based on these results, classroom performance can be adjusted and elevated, to the benefit of both the educators and their students. Teachers can improve their methods, look for other resources, embrace new technologies, and behave differently, thus having a greater impact on their student’s educational development. 

How to improve your performance as a teacher

So far, it all sounds good. If you want to make progress in your career and help your students reach their goals, you can take steps to improve your performance in the classroom. But how exactly can you do that? We’ve gathered 5 strategies to help you assist your students in achieving higher learning outcomes.

Use the appropriate learning materials

The resources used in the teaching process are meant to facilitate a student’s learning experience. There are a wide variety of tools and materials available to teachers nowadays, both in print and digital formats: books, textbooks, worksheets, audio-visual aids, online tools, apps, multimedia materials, libraries, learning communities, and online platforms. It’s crucial to choose the appropriate channels for your students. They must be up-to-date, well-structured, relevant, explicit, and meant to solve a specific need and improve a specific skill.

The characteristics of adequate resources that improve classroom performance include:

• They make it easier for teachers to convey information 
• They make the teaching-learning process more interactive and allow for a variety of learning preferences among students
• They encourage active learning
• They broaden students’ horizons in terms of their educational opportunities
• They challenge students to think for themselves and construct knowledge on their own 
• They support students in acquiring new skills

Master your area of expertise

To help students learn and become interested in a particular subject, like geometry or history, the number one requirement is for teachers to have a deep understanding of it. Besides mastering the concepts and their applications, educators should also be able to explain their relevance. Moreover, they should be able to understand and teach the subject from different perspectives, adapting the material to the needs of their students. At the end of the day, learners should be able to put their knowledge into context, understanding what works for what purposes and in what situations.

Prepare in advance

Lesson plans are key to improving classroom performance. First and foremost, teachers should think about their students’ traits – strengths, weaknesses, special needs, and so on. Then, move on to what they have to learn and decide upon specific goals, and come up with a strategy to teach that lesson (choosing the right materials, using previous knowledge). When the class is over, teachers should have a way to assess their goals (quick individual examination, an exercise in pairs, Q&A session). All this while taking into account the time left on the clock. Lesson planning prevents disorganization and loss of focus, and increases students’ respect toward educators.

Understand the role of feedback

Both students and educators can give and receive feedback related to the teaching-learning process. This information is meant to highlight the teachers’ and students’ needs, expectations, and results. While educators should offer the proper guidance and tools to facilitate the learning process, students should point out if they feel the need for adjustments – if they’re struggling with the lesson or if the teaching rhythm is too alert. The main purpose of giving and receiving feedback is to create a safe environment where learners feel confident and motivated to achieve their full potential.

Here are some suggestions to consider when giving feedback: 

• Come up with individual feedback, based on the context, needs, and traits of each student
• Identify their strengths and weaknesses
• Pinpoint what skills need improvement and why
• Make it simple to understand and avoid overburdening students
• Offer practical information that could help students improve their learning techniques, instead of overwhelming them with theoretical aspects

Go the extra mile

If there is a job that allows you to explore and be creative, it’s teaching. The last decades have shown us that innovation and technology lead to greater academic growth, and improve access to education for kids all over the world. The ground-breaking teaching resources and the new methods and strategies used by teachers have proven to significantly improve classroom performance, while also encouraging diversity and openness.  

Teachers should be brave enough to step out of their comfort zone and try out new things in the classroom. Sometimes these strategies might not work out as expected and then, educators can learn from failure and come up with different ideas. But sometimes they could make wonders, and then, they gain a boost of self-confidence, feeling that their efforts pay off. Thinking outside the box will also help students acquire critical thinking and decision-making skills, which will help them in their adult life.

If you need guidance in the teaching process, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. At Da Vinci Collaborative, we have vast experience in helping children learn and grow, and we also offer mental health and special education services for students with special needs.