When I first starting teaching over 30 years ago, I thought I needed to be the expert. I felt like I worked harder than my students when preparing for a lesson. I read the chapter, I did the assignments I was asking my students to complete, and I was ready for every question. Was I really ready? Probably not, but I felt I had done the best I could to be prepared. As an administrator, I wonder, are educators today ready for every question. How are we preparing educators today to be ready for the lesson and questions ahead?At a recent conference I attended, there was a conversation where one person shared that she heard a teacher tell her students, I'm not an expert. She disagreed with her making that statement. Another lady said, I'm not sure I disagree with her. Have we reached a time in education where we cannot profess expert status? I confess, I might be skeptical of anyone who did say they were an expert. Too many things change daily. You have to be prepared to modify and adjust. Students today have access to a treasure-trove of ways to learn whatever might interest them. Are the people teaching them experts? I doubt that, but they have a passion for what they do and they are willing to share that knowledge with the masses.
Technology today, and, education in general, are dynamically changing by the hour. It is a constant test of your professionalism to stay on top of the changing trends. The device that is in today may be out tomorrow. That is why it's vital as educators that we still concentrate on universal skills that will always be a constant for our students. Students need skills that will serve them for a lifetime regardless of the device or the medium. This does mean, though, that we probably can't do things the way they have always been done. How will you prepare for today's lessons?
