My best advice for new IB Psychology teachers

Travis DixonTeaching Ideas

There's only two things you need to do in order to be a great teacher.

The following was originally posted to Facebook. It received a positive response so I thought it would be worthwhile to add as a blog post. 

Visit www.store.themantic-education.com for all your lesson plans, powerpoints, worksheets and pretty much everything you need to teach IB Psychology.

For all the new IB Psychology teachers who are getting into a bit of a panic as the start of the new year approaches:

I just wanted to write you a wee note to say please don’t panic about teaching this course. It won’t be easy, I’m afraid, but it gets easier and better. The only important things you must do are:

1) Care about the kids.
2) Care about getting better.

I think this is the only teaching evaluative framework we need.

Remember that your students have no means of comparison; they’re just as new to IB Psych’ as you are. So as long as you care about them and are working hard to teach them what you can, they’ll recognize it, appreciate it and that will reduce your stress. The fact that you are worried and feeling some stress,means you’re demonstrating #1 and #2 above, so you’ve got nothing to worry about

All of us are learning and trying to get better, so try not to feel overwhelmed or intimated. We’re all here to help you as much as we can as well, because every IB Psych’ teacher knows what those first couple of years are like.

Teaching is a wonderfully frustrating job as you can always be doing something more and something better. I don’t think I’m a good teacher because of what I do for my students, I think I’m a good teacher because I’m aware of all the things I SHOULD be doing for them. This always leaves room to improve.

Keep your chin up, and don’t forget this great motto: “fake it ti’l you make it.”

Ask questions and please don’t feel like you’re alone in this and don’t forget to enjoy being in a classroom with your kids.

If you don’t want to post questions publicly, feel free to send me a message.

Happy Teaching!

Cheers!
Travis.

Visit www.store.themantic-education.com for all your lesson plans, powerpoints, worksheets and pretty much everything you need to teach IB Psychology.