Need a Confidence Boost in the Classroom? BRI Is Here to Help!
<p><em>By Michael Sandstrom</em></p>
<p>Self-doubt can be an ever-present companion for many social studies teachers in the 21st century. With the complex and ever-changing social, political, and economic landscape Americans find themselves in, how can I guarantee I am meeting their needs? How do I help prepare the next generation to meet the challenges they face? If I do not feel prepared to answer these questions, where can I turn?</p>
<p>As teachers, we can put ourselves on islands and isolate ourselves from our peers, but this only allows the seeds of self-doubt to sprout and multiply. Consequently, teachers must find networks of like-minded professionals who can reinforce their confidence in their teaching, provide solutions to common problems, and provide the groundwork for systemic change.</p>
<p>Professional development and content creators exist in abundance for social studies teachers. Organizations like Gilder Lehrman, National History Day, and Stanford History Education Group exist to improve pedagogical practices and teachers’ content knowledge.</p>
<p>The Bill of Rights Institute operates within this framework, and I am very fortunate to work with them over the years. My first professional development opportunity took place in Denver, and it opened my eyes to the resources available to new teachers.</p>
<p>In the subsequent years, I mined their website for resources on teaching the Constitution and civic education. In 2018, I joined the inaugural BRI Teacher’s Institute, which allowed me access to a network of professionals from around the country. </p>
<p>BRI and other organizations ensure there are other teachers with your concerns and there are groups actively working to solve these problems at the national level. To avoid feeling stranded in your classroom, reaching out to BRI and browsing their website would be an excellent way to bolster your confidence in what you are already doing and provide more potential solutions for your specific concerns or needs.</p>
<p>As teachers, we thrive when we recognize our strength lies in our numbers and our relationships. We improve when we find common ground and positive solutions from those who face similar challenges. If you attend a BRI seminar or professional development with any other organization, your eyes will open to the importance of a learning and support community. If I have any words of advice this holiday season, please do not suffer from self-doubt or waning confidence as a result of the challenges we face. Instead, reach out to BRI to initiate yourself in a new environment.</p>
<p><em>Michael Sandstrom teaches social studies at Chadron High School in Chadron, NE, and is a member of the Bill of Rights Institute National Teacher Council.</em></p>