Top Ten Skills for Teaching (and Life!) Heather Sparks, NBCT 2009 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Taft Middle School Oklahoma City Public Schools -As a college student, you are the poorest you have ever been. You still do not come close to living the life of an Oklahoma family in poverty. You also have access to services not available to families in poverty. Find empathy for your students by getting to know them. Pass out a 3x5 card to gather information.

10. Respect Show the respect you expect. Find ways to connect to students. Create a special greeting.

9. Patience “Students that are hardest to love, need your love the most.” Know when to “reschedule” students Keep your “power” in perspective.

8. Flexibility Be willing and able to make changes. Create win-win situations.

7. Collegiality Know your strengths and those of your colleagues. ALWAYS treat the school secretary, custodian and other “power players” with respect.

6. Creativity Don’t be married to one specific teaching strategy or textbook. Explore resources regularly.

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

4. 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. A math teacher arrives home at 3 AM. His wife is upset and yells, “You’re late! You said you be home at 11:45.” Her husband answers, “I’m right on time! I said I’d be home at a quarter of 12”

3. High Expectations Set worthy goals for yourself and reflect often on your progress. Establish high expectations for your students.

2. Amnesia Learn to let go…Don’t be a garbage truck! Every day is a fresh start for students. Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets. The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.

And the number one skill needed for successful teaching… (and successful living)

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!