169: Empowering Students with High Expectations and Rigorous Learning

Missy Testerman, the 2024 National Teacher of the Year, shares her insights on building relationships with students and their families, and the importance of getting children's literacy right from the beginning. She discusses her approach to teaching English language learners and the challenges of communication with families who speak different languages. Missy emphasizes the need for high expectations for students and the importance of creating a supportive and rigorous classroom environment. She also highlights the impact of experienced teachers in promoting a culture of high expectations in schools. In this conversation, Missy Testerman, the 2022 Tennessee Teacher of the Year, and Christopher Albrecht discuss the importance of writing instruction and fostering a love for writing in students. They emphasize the need for teachers to maintain high expectations while providing support and creating a purpose for writing. They also highlight the significance of building relationships with students and creating a positive classroom culture. The conversation concludes with a discussion on maintaining joy and avoiding burnout as a teacher, setting boundaries, and advocating for the profession.

Takeaways

• Building relationships with students and their families is crucial for success in the classroom.

• Explicit reading instruction from the beginning is essential for children's literacy development.

• Teaching English language learners requires a combination of language immersion and explicit instruction.

• Creating a supportive and welcoming environment for students and families is key to their success.

• High expectations and rigorous instruction are important for promoting student achievement.

• Experienced teachers play a vital role in establishing a culture of high expectations in schools. Maintaining high expectations while providing support is crucial in fostering a love for writing in students.

• Building relationships with students and creating a positive classroom culture are essential for successful writing instruction.

• Teachers should set boundaries and take care of themselves to avoid burnout.

• Advocating for the profession and speaking up about what is and isn't working in education is important for creating positive change.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

07:08 Creating a Supportive and Welcoming Environment for Students and Families

30:05 Fostering a Love for Writing: High Expectations and Support

46:46 Surrounding Yourself with Positive Influences

55:39 Advocating for the Profession: Speaking Up for Positive Change

Website: www.ntoy.ccsso.org/ 

Twitter: twitter.com/Missytesterman 

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