Beyond the Classroom

Beyond the Classroom

Teachers in training have a lot to focus on and plan for in their futures. How to handle a classroom, fulfill the curriculum, and accurately assess students are all tremendous responsibilities. Experienced teachers have a decided edge in these categories. One area of the high school environment that developing teachers may be able to more strongly relate to, however, is the life of a teenager. It was only a few years ago that the future teachers of today were just students themselves. It is important to remember that high school is only partly about classroom teaching. A vitally important part of a good high school is it’s extra-curricular environment. Good teachers have the ability both to teach their content area skillfully and to relate to their students. A great way to learn more about students, and for students to learn more about each other, is through the clubs, sports, and extracurricular academic activities of a school.

I do not remember a whole lot from my first two years of high school. I went to classes, did a decent job, went home and spent some time on my homework before spending time with my family and going to bed. I felt strangely disconnected from school. I had some friends whom I would occasionally visit after school, but living far from my high school often even prevented that. I looked at school almost as a job, doing the minimum, enough to appease the teachers, and moving on. It was not until my junior year of high school that I learned how to truly develop in school. Part of this sudden realization came from my success as a tennis player, and from my decision to join several other school clubs. I developed closer friendships at that time, and saw teachers who stayed after school to run and even participate in the activities differently. Not coincidentally my grades improved at the same rate as my social life. The teacher’s involvement in Peer Counseling really impressed me. Teachers would share personal experiences and join in the activities done as a group. I realize now the effect that after school events had on my personal growth. That is one reason that I feel it is critical for a good teacher to participate in something outside of the normal school day.

Coaches can have an even larger impact on students in that capacity than they have as teachers.