It takes research and preparation. To have the best opportunity as a successful teacher, you need to research best practices, collaborate with your colleagues and others within the profession. You find out what's working and what isn't, implementing best practices into your classroom.
It takes determination. Teaching isn't easy. Ask anyone around you and the majority would say that teachers have it rough. There are going to be days where the kids just don't "get it", they're off their game, and the lesson just doesn't come easy.
You have to get their attention. You can have a great lesson set up for your class on any given day. A fun activity, a great project, or a strategy that you know is going to rock. If there isn't an intro that gets the class to buy in, the rest of the lesson is bound to be below your expectations. Take the time, get this kids engaged, and set the lesson up with an amazing hook!
Bring them on in. You have their attention, they're interested in the lesson for the day, and it's time to bring in the content that you have worked so hard to prepare. Keeping them engaged will be a challenge, but you have done your homework ahead of time and the students know that today's lesson is a great one.
Closing up the lesson. By now, the students have proven that they understand the day's lesson, have engaged in the content throughout the entire process, and are confident about retaining what has been taught for the day. You give the students a closing activity, one more final thought, and have them prove their understanding with a ticket out the door.
Fishing
It takes research and preparation. To have the best opportunity of catching a nice fish, you don't just go up to any river bank, lake, or coordinate in the ocean. You find out what's working and what isn't from the experienced anglers and tackle shops in the area.
It takes determination. Fishing isn't easy. As they say, "There's a reason why it's called fishing and not catching". There are going to be days where the fish don't bite, the bait isn't working for you, and fishing just doesn't come easy.
You have to set the hook. You can have a nice bait swimming out in the ocean, a great plastic worm that looks like it wants to be lunch, or a nice ball of PowerBait just waiting to be gobbled up. If that fish takes the bait and you don't set the hook, it's gone. Take the time, let the fish eat, but just long enough for it to get that bait in a good position. Once it's there, time to set!
Fish on! The fish is fighting hard, doesn't want to give up, but you are determined to bring that trophy on board and show it off to your friends. You have done your homework and preparation. There's no better feeling than when a nice-sized fish is on the receiving end of a reel that just keeps working!
Bringing in the catch. You have proven to the fish that you are determined and you will not give up. It was a tough fight, but your hard work has paid off as you pull it up and realize that it's a great catch. You take a couple pictures, say your peace with it, then either send it back into the water to live another day or bring it home to feed the family and friends.
