Teaching Methods

National Heritage Academies believes the teaching profession is one that demands professional practice. The single most influential factor in a classroom is the teacher – a highly effective teacher can have a powerful influence on student achievement. Our schools select teachers who are dedicated to crafting learning opportunities that meet individual student needs with relevance and appropriate rigor.

The professional practice of teaching requires the teacher to establish a positive environment in order to focus on learning. A teacher must establish relationships with students that motivate, develop and enforce clear rules and procedures, use appropriate disciplinary interventions and employ strategies that assist them in maintaining an emotionally supportive environment. With this culture established, effective teachers closely monitor student learning and adjust their teaching when necessary. They provide a range of learning experiences and employ a wide variety of strategies to meet individual needs. NHA contends that it is the teacher’s responsibility to organize the activities of the classroom to maximize student learning.

While teachers organize the opportunities for learning, students must be active participants in the process. This teacher-directed, student-focused approach means that teachers make sure students have the opportunity to learn everything necessary to be well prepared for the following grade and beyond. Students’ opportunities are maximized when the teacher directs what happens in the classroom. Our teachers:

 Prepare lessons considering their students’ prior knowledge and experience with the material
 Decide on the most effective way to present the material to be mastered
 Engage students in thought-provoking lessons
 Monitor student comprehension throughout a lesson
 Provide for continued learning opportunities and practice with the material