Even after being selected Teacher of the Year, these teachers all realize that they have not arrived.  There are new challenges to meet with new students or low performing students. They are focused on finding ways to connect with, and effectively teach these students and impacting their lives by believing, valuing, and having high expectations for their students.  These teachers practice lots of time reflecting on their growth as a teacher different ways to improve their teaching skills. They also realize that they can't do it by themselves: that there is power in collaboration and support from other teachers.

I can hear the care and concern in these teacher's voices and if I can then I know their students can

Every day brings a new adventure that we must try our best to prepare for or collaborate with veteran teacher

to find how best to teach our students

A teacher is a work in progress, we need to be open and comfortable to learn and improve our practices. As far as we are living, we are a work in progress for our lifetime, until teachers keep this in mind and view their students as work in progress, then they can create room for positive and effective growth.

As an educator, you should know your students in a way that when you are presented the data on their growth, weaknesses, and strengths in learning that you are not surprised at the information presented to you You should be able to look at the data and be informative to start a plan to continue the success of the students. 

1. How do these teachers talk about their students' growth?

Working together as a team, learning their languages making sure to  build a positive relationship

How do these teachers talk about their own growth?

Restart, reboot and expand and input in the student to do their best, if you are not getting good results check things out to see how to start over and see the growth.

How can strong relationships help to support growth?

One teacher said, that we are a work in progress, substaing professional growth and completing what you started; and if learning is not happening there is no growth and this is when you take an step back and re-access.