teaching tips for urban schools

1. Top Ten Skills Needed
for Teaching Success
in Urban Schools
Edwin Green, Jr.
Instructional Systems Analysis
ASLT 632-085
April 15, 2015

2. 10. Empathy
• Get to know your students
and the lives they live.
• Show interest in student
activities.
• “Even on your worst day,
you’re a student’s best
hope.” ~Larry Bell

3. 9. Respect
•Show the respect you
expect.
•Find ways to connect
to students.
•Learn to say phrases in
each student’s home
language.

4. 8. Patience
•Students that are hardest
to love, need your love
the most.
•Keep your “power” in
perspective.

5. 7. Flexibility
•Be willing and able to
make changes.
•Learn to compromise.
•Create win-win
situations.

6. 6. Collegiality
• Know your strengths and
those of your colleagues.
• Find common ground and
work together.
• ALWAYS befriend the
school secretary, custodian
and other “power players.”

7. 5. Creativity
•Don’t be married to
one specific teaching
strategy or textbook.
•Explore resources
regularly.
•Seek professional
growth opportunities.

8. 4. Problem Solving
•Have a solution before
you complain about a
problem.
•Ask advice of other
professionals.
•Involve families.

9. 3. Showmanship
• Create several “best of show”
lessons that you can pull out of
your hat!
• Attend professional
development opportunities
often to build your repertoire.
• Watch and steal from the best!
(a.k.a. “collaboration”)

10. 2. Sense of Humor
•Don’t be afraid to
laugh at yourself.
•Create class jokes that
include everyone.
•Learn jokes
appropriate for your
field or subject.

11. And the number one skill
needed for successful
teaching in urban
settings…

12. 1. Self-Care
•Know your needs and make
sure they are met.
•As much as possible, leave
school at school.
•Adopt a hobby and give
yourself permission to enjoy it!