Back-to-School Tips for Class Providers
Syeda Zahirunisa
September 14, 2023
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5 min read
As the summer break comes to an end, the familiar buzz of back-to-school preparations fills the air. This isn't just a busy time for students and parents; class providers also need to gear up for a successful year. Whether you offer traditional courses, workshops, or online classes, it’s important to ensure that you are ready for a smooth transition into the new year. Here are some important back-to-school tips that class providers should consider to successfully kick off the upcoming season.
“If some students are unresponsive maybe you can’t teach them yet, but you can love them. And if you love them today, maybe you can teach them tomorrow.” – Jeffrey R. Holland
The foundation of effective teaching and coaching is building strong connections with students. To achieve this, you must establish genuine relationships with your students that foster a sense of belonging, trust, and respect. An important first step involves developing student rapport by familiarizing yourself with their interests, hobbies, backgrounds, and aspirations. Build connections among students and between you and the students by engaging in simple activities such as icebreakers, group discussions, and interactive games.
“We prioritize building strong family relations”, Heather Harries, Executive Director of Heather Harries Ed Hub. “Our team invests time in understanding each student’s unique needs through various calls and consultations”.
Millie Loxton from Parkour DXB says, “As coaches, we form genuine relationships with parents and students, so it's a real sincere joy to see them all again when they come back after the summer break. We're invested in their progress in parkour, and in them as individuals, and we bring this into everything we do - we're super excited to get started again, and see what everyone can achieve in the new year. More than any particular tool or technique, it's our passion for coaching them that keeps students engaged.”
Additionally, engaging in regular conversation with students and celebrating even their smallest achievements is a great way to build strong relationships with them. These little gestures can help establish crucial connections with your students and have a lasting influence on their lives.
In a rapidly evolving world, effective teaching involves not only sharing knowledge but also inspiring and guiding students on their learning journey. As class providers, whether in classrooms, coaching classes, or online platforms, it is crucial to practice and improve essential teaching skills to ensure that students experience a valuable and positive learning experience. Some of the skills that can help meet the diverse needs of your students are,
Balancing teaching, planning, and personal life can indeed pose a significant challenge for class providers. Teaching styles vary, and each class provider may find themselves juggling various responsibilities related to class planning, management, and personal commitments. Effective time management reduces stress and improves teaching performance, enhancing the learning experience for your students.
To navigate this, it's important to prioritize tasks effectively.
Mr. Will Walker, founder & CEO of Storm Swimming Academy, believes in having a strong admin team and well-trained staff members to share the workload, effectively manage time and tasks, and thus prepare for the new term.
Creating a positive learning environment is crucial for class providers, as it fosters an atmosphere that promotes engagement, growth, and effective learning outcomes. When students feel welcomed, supported, and respected, they are more likely to be motivated and enthusiastic about their classes.
A positive environment encourages open communication, collaboration, and risk-taking, allowing students to feel comfortable asking questions and participating actively. This ultimately leads to better information retention, increased confidence, and a sense of belonging, all of which contribute to the overall success and satisfaction of both students and class providers.
Sticking to this very idea, foster an environment where students are at ease expressing their viewpoints and posing questions. Encourage open dialogue and opinion-sharing, creating a safe space for growth. A potent aspect of maintaining a positive class environment is the continuous collection of feedback from students. The loop of collecting feedback will allow you to adapt your teaching methods, ensuring they align with your students' evolving needs and preferences, thus encouraging a thriving learning environment.
Kieran Glen, Operations Coordinator of iXCEL, starts a new term with icebreakers and team-building activities, nurturing connections among students to promote a sense of belonging. In the words of Kieran Glen, “I integrate interactive and dynamic teaching methods, incorporating multimedia and real-world examples to keep lessons engaging and relevant. By actively listening to student feedback and adapting to their evolving needs, we cultivate a classroom atmosphere that encourages active participation, collaboration, and a genuine enthusiasm for learning.”
Embracing the role of a class provider is like navigating a demanding journey, and sometimes, class providers find themselves unintentionally overlooking their own well-being in the pursuit of looking after their students' growth. However, to effectively support and guide learners, one must first extend that care to oneself.
Prioritizing emotional self-care becomes a pertinent step in this teaching journey. Including intervals of rest, physical exercise, and indulgence in cherished hobbies in your daily routine can refresh your soul and calm your thoughts. Understanding the importance of finding comfort in talking to colleagues or loved ones when things get tough and realizing how crucial it is to share tasks willingly when possible are both essential for maintaining a good balance between teaching and taking care of yourself.
“By practicing to set clear boundaries, delegating tasks, staying organized, reflecting and reevaluating to streamline efforts”, Founder and CEO of Smash Tennis, Tan De En states, “one can maintain well-being which will allow you to lead effectively and provide an exceptional education to your students”.
Millie Loxton, customer service manager at Parkour DXB believes that it’s important to make meaningful connections with students and take care of yourself. In her words, “Personally, one of my favorite bits of advice is 'what's good for the body is good for the brain', and I find that the classic tips of drinking plenty of water, eating and sleeping well, and moving more are really the best things you can do! It helps that I work in a parkour gym, so there's no end of options to get me moving when I need a break from my desk.”
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To summarize, gearing up for the back-to-school season as a class provider can be a breeze with the right tips in hand. Remember, preparation is key. Make sure you have your lesson plans sorted, your materials ready, and a positive attitude to inspire your students. Stay organized, communicate effectively with parents and students, and keep an open mind to adapt to changing needs. Whether you're teaching in person or online, these back-to-school essentials will help you create a successful and enjoyable learning experience for all. So, embrace the new school year with enthusiasm and watch your classes thrive!