Teacher Efficacy....Do you have it?
Our students deserve teachers and other adults who believe in them! They deserve to be surrounded by individuals who help instill a sense of belief in themselves. However, our students also deserve to be taught by teachers who believe in themselves. Teachers who demonstrate a positive attitude and a high level of teacher efficacy, demonstrate increased confidence and believe in themselves. So what exactly is "teacher efficacy"?
What is teacher efficacy?
Teacher efficacy is when a teacher believes in their own ability to guide their students to success. For over thirty years, researchers have explored the link between teacher self-efficacy and student achievement. Research suggests that teachers with a strong sense of self-efficacy tend to be better planners, more resilient through failure, and more open-minded and supportive with students. Collective efficacy is when a staff of teachers believe that together they can inspire growth and change in their students.
Why teacher efficacy matters
According to Visible Learning for Teachers: Maximizing Impact on Learning by John Hattie, collective teacher efficacy has the greatest impact on student achievement—even higher than factors like teacher-student relationships, home environment, or parental involvement. That might seem surprising, but it actually makes sense. A teacher who lacks confidence is less likely to push students, try new methods, or push through difficulty. When teachers are confident in their ability, persistent through challenge, and innovative in their practices, students can really benefit. Anita Woolfolk, a psychologist specializing in childhood education, noted that “teachers who set high goals, who persist, who try another strategy when one approach is found wanting—in other words, teachers who have a high sense of efficacy and act on it—are more likely to have students who learn.”
https://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/curriculum-teaching-strategies/improve-teacher-efficacy/
So what is the level of teacher self-efficacy at Tharptown Elementary School? Please go to the following link and take the survey to help us gauge where we are in our beliefs. I will share the results with you!
