How easy it is to apply a one-size-fits-all approach to teacher training. Yet, the help one teacher needs may not benefit another. We may also be prone to choosing topics we think would be helpful but aren’t what teachers struggle with the most. Taking time to learn more about individual teachers and their needs will help us provide teacher training that can truly equip them to become better teachers because it’s relevant to them and best fits their situation.
What We Need to Learn That Will Help Us Identify a Teacher’s Needs
To provide training tailored to the teachers themselves, we need to identify:
Topics of Greatest Need
Greatest Deterrents in Teaching
But, their training needs aren’t just about skill development. To be most beneficial we must also consider:
Preferences for Means of Teacher Training
Time Preferences for Teacher Training
How to Identify Training Needs of Bible Teachers
Sometimes it is as simple as asking. Other times we might need to use guiding questions. We can identify needs using one or more of the following means:
- teacher surveys
- student surveys
- one-on-one consultation
- observation/evaluation
You’ll find a survey in the Teacher Training Module which is part of the Christian Education Files Resource. This module can also be ordered separately.