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In teaching, just as in writing, you have to find your voice. (I believe I am paraphrasing Sandra Cisneros here). When anyone is learning to write, they have to work at and develop a voice. It is not something someone can give you, its something that is uniquely yours and that only you can do best. It is your style, your point of view, your little bit to contribute to the world. The hard part is often finding your voice. As you learn to write and as you get practice (lots of practice) you find what works for you. Most of this is by trial and error. You could also copy someone else’s style and steal elements from them, but this will only get you so far.
Something similar is true of teaching. Every teacher has his or her own “voice” – their style, what works for them, their small contribution to the world. The frustrating thing for a new teacher is that this style can only really be found by trial and error. You can copy ideas, lessons, activities, procedures, and other elements from other teachers. This is a good start. But things will not sync and flow and those glorious “aha moments” will be scarce until all of these elements become your own – until you adapt them to your classroom at that moment.
Teaching really is a creative process. There is plenty of technique, best practice, and research that goes in to a lesson, but what makes a lesson rich – what makes it a work of art is the pain, the stress, the joy, and the learning from failures. (someday, I would like to see the paintings DaVinci threw away) And, just like any art and any science, teaching is constantly changing and seeking for the newest and best way as times and audiences change too.
So, to all my fellow new teachers who struggle to find their voice – learn from others, learn from failures, learn from students. Most of all, remember that YOU are the most valuable resource – your experience, your background, your memories, your abilities, your love, your expression, your voice can turn an objective to be learned into an experience to be had by the students in your classroom.
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