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In March of 2020, the world flipped upside down when the novel coronavirus outbreak turned into the Covid-19 pandemic.
Schools closed, thereby requiring their students to begin distance learning. Some teachers lost their footing, as well as the sight of their goals. What could they do to achieve the goals they had for their students, and even themselves, if classrooms were empty and schools were vacant?
No matter the future’s uncertainty about students and teachers returning to school, it’s important to focus on being positive. Specifically, you should create goals for short-term future.
So with that in mind, here is a list of 9 SMART goal examples for teachers for this school year and beyond.
What You Will Learn
- What are SMART Goals?
- Specific
- Measurable
- Attainable/Achievable
- Relevant/Realistic
- Time-bound/Tangible
- Why is it Important for Teachers to Set SMART Goals?
- 9 SMART Goals Examples for Teachers in 2022
- 1. Read a Classic Novel
- 2. Begin a Fundraiser
- 3. Understand my Students Better
- 4. Organize My Files
- 5. Enroll in an Educational Course
- 6. Avoid Teacher Burnout
- 7. Five Up Control in the Classroom
- 8. Reach Out to Parents
- 9. Make Learning Fun
- Final Thoughts
What are SMART Goals?
To set proper teaching goals, the goals must be “SMART.” But what does that mean?
SMART goals are well-thought-out and planned objectives that have a high chance of success.
SMART is a framework acronym that describes how you should set your goals and what your goals should involve. There are three distinct types of SMART goals: short-term, long-term, and lifetime goals. Set short-term goals for the next three months; long-term goals for your future; and lifetime goals, which are just like long-term goals, but progress in a continuous manner as they are your primary life goals.
SMART goals should meet the following criteria:
S: Specific
M: Measurable
A: Achievable
R: Relevant
T: Time-bound
Specific
When it comes to specific goals, they need to be clear and understandable.
Measurable
Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward achieving each goal you set up.
Attainable/Achievable
When you name your most important goals, you figure out ways to make them happen. You develop the attitudes, skills, talents, and financial ability to achieve them. Goals that seem out of reach come closer and become attainable—not because they get smaller, but because you improve and grow to reach them.
Relevant/Realistic
Realistic and relevant goals must stand for an aim toward which you are both willing and able to work. If you genuinely believe that you can achieve your goal, it is realistic.
Time-bound/Tangible
Every goal should have a timeframe, or there is no sense of urgency. “Someday” will not work to achieve your goals. Your goal is tangible when it is specific and measurable, and thereby attainable.
Why is it Important for Teachers to Set SMART Goals?
Many teachers have an idea of what they want in the next school year to look like, but many do not. According to educational research, educators who establish goals notice a significant improvement in their classrooms and their self-perception.
Teachers who have goals for improving their teaching skills have a far greater interest in their career and more positive teaching self-esteem.
Surveys show that teachers who set goals for themselves feel like they improved as teachers by the end of the school year.
But what else can setting goals do for teachers?
Setting SMART goals can help teachers:
- Improve their relationships with their students
- Significantly increase and improve students’ motivation
- Supports their professional development and their students’ progress
- Be a person whose students’ view as someone they can comfortably talk to and from whom they can request help
- Be a person who students view as supportive, helpful, and kind
- Feel encouraged by their career growth
9 SMART Goals Examples for Teachers in 2022
Teaching goals fall into one of four classifications: enhancing classroom organization, optimizing class time, increasing student engagement, and reinforcing student discussion.
Here is a list of 9 SMART goal examples for teachers in 2022:
1. Read a Classic Novel
“By [date], the first day of school,I will start reading a 400-page classic novel with my studentsto get them interested in reading, and to expand their vocabulary and their appreciation for books.”
S: The goal is specific and to the point.
M: The school year is typically from September to June, so it would be best to have your students finish the book in April, which gives them 7.5 months to read four hundred pages in their entirety or approximately 14 pages a week/2 pages per day. That is achievable.
A: As you have control over your words and your temper, this is an achievable goal.
R: Having your students read a book will help you get closer to the goal of giving them an appreciation of reading and an expanded vocabulary.
T: This goal has a beginning date and a daily/weekly progression period.
Reading is one of the most important things people can do—especially students. Make sure to educate your students about this importance, which will motive them and help them to feel invited to read instead of causing them to despise the concept of learning and books.
2. Begin a Fundraiser
“By [date], I want my classes to begin a fundraiser to raise $500 throughout the school year for a local charity of their choice.”
S: You state that you want your students to raise money via a fundraiser throughout the school year for a local charity of their choice—you have answered the 5 Ws—who, what, where, when, and why.
M: Each time a student raises money and adds it to the total, you are getting closer to $500.
A: This goal is attainable and achievable.
R: This goal helps students understand others’ misfortunes and raises their awareness of those who struggle, thereby learning about the real world and not just the information found in books.
T: The start date is [date], and the end date is the last day of school—the entire school year.
Students do not need to follow in your footsteps but should mimic your attitude and passion. This mimicking will inspire your students to persevere and have hope despite spirit-breaking impediments that may come their way. Inspire them to take on challenges. You are the role model for overcoming challenges and failures, thereby showing them the values and traits they need to have in all their future pursuits. Teach your students how to think and not just remember information for a test.
3. Understand my Students Better
“By [date], I will start to learn from my students each school year by actively listening, asking questions, and considering their point of view to enhance my understanding of my students.”
S: You have clearly said your aims and why you want to reach them.
M: Each time you discuss something with a student is one unit that measures your pursuit of this goal.
A: You can achieve this goal by initiating conversations with your students.
R: This goal is relevant and realistic as it pertains to enhancing your abilities as a teacher.
T: You have set up a beginning date to begin executing your goal achievement for each school year.
There is so much that teachers can learn from their students. If you notice that one of your teaching practices is not going so well, ask a colleague what they have done or watch a YouTube video to learn. With Covid-19 around, things are changing all the time, and learning means adapting to implemented changes during the next school year—which are not to hamper you down but to help you grow rather than remain stagnant. With the different personalities surrounding you every day, your understanding of life widens.
4. Organize My Files
“By [date], I will have arranged my files and thrown out old materials to get organized.”
S: This goal says what you want to achieve and why you want to achieve it.
M: This goal is measurable by figuring out if you have achieved your goal by the date you set.
A: You can achieve this goal by working a little bit at a time towards your set date, thereby making it an attainable objective.
R: It is essential to stay organized as a teacher to give your students the best education.
T: You establish the set date to give your goal a deadline and timeframe.
If you think of yourself as a short-tempered person, you may find this goal challenging. Remember to keep your reputation as a professional by refraining from profanities and obscenities. Students have a great deal to learn, and they need your patience. You have a massive role in a student’s psychological development and hope for the future. Make sure to develop creative, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to resolve issues quickly. Try meditation as well.
5. Enroll in an Educational Course
“By [date], I will have signed up for an educational course to enhance my teaching skills as I strive to become better.”
S: This goal precisely specifies what you want to do and why.
M: Your enrollment in the course measures progression towards this goal, as does self-reflection to figure out what you learned and how you will apply the information.
A: As you can only improve yourself, and since you control whether you go to the course or not, this objective is accomplishable.
R: As you are a teacher who wants to become better, an educational course that enhances one’s teaching skills is relevant and realistic.
T: The educational course has established timeframes, and you have a date to sign up for it.
Bettering yourself can only be possible if you want it to be. Strive to give your students the best of yourself, as teaching is one of your most significant contributions to the world’s progression.
6. Avoid Teacher Burnout
“By [date], I will begin to avoid teacher burnout at school by arranging my schedule to build in at least one hour of ‘me’ time every day, doing what I want to do.”
S: This goal answers the 5 W questions—who, what, where, when, and why explicitly.
M: You will recognize your progress by noticing each passing day that you take an hour for yourself.
A: You have the power and the authority to achieve this goal.
R: This goal is relevant to your success as a teacher.
T: The goal is a daily, one-hour period.
Make sure to take time for yourself. It is not an unrealistic, senseless, selfish, or impossible idea. To de-stress and to be an effective teacher, you must take time for yourself. You can start with something small and then aim for something bigger later. You will become happier when you take time for yourself.
7. Five Up Control in the Classroom
“By [date], I will start to give up control in the classroom once every week, and let my students reign, so they have a say in their education.”
S: You have expressly stated this goal with clarity.
M: Determine your goal's progression via students’ improved grades, classroom interaction, and feedback.
A: You are the one who decides who controls your classroom, so this is an achievable objective.
R: As a teacher, this goal is relevant for you to teach, and for the youngsters in your class as students, to learn.
T: You have decided to aim for one day a week to give students control, with a beginning start date of [date].
Some teachers are afraid of giving up their control, but it can benefit you to give your students some control over how they learn. It helps them have self-confidence and pride in their work. It also supplies a sense of purpose and motivation. Give your students a few options.
Side note: If you're looking for bulletin board ideas, here's our roundup of our favorite summer bulletin boards.
8. Reach Out to Parents
“By [date], I will have reached out to a minimum of ten parents by calling or emailing to get them involved with their student and the class.”
S: This goal shows your clearly stated objective.
M: Each parent that responds will count as one unit of measurement, and so you can measure your progress every time a parent comes to school in a 4-week timeframe.
A: You have all the tools you need to achieve this goal.
R: This goal is relevant to the student’s success in class and realistic for a teacher.
T: You have set a date to achieve this goal and a timeframe to measure your progress.
Most teachers want parents involved more, but many teachers have tasks that prevent them from making this happen. But you can invite parents to play an active role in the student’s education. Encourage parents to volunteer, assign a family project, or extend an invitation to attend classroom events.
9. Make Learning Fun
“By [date], I will begin to make learning fun by substituting weekly worksheets and lectures with games and projects.”
S: You have set a goal with a precise and detailed aim.
M: Every time you see a student’s grade increase and listen to their positive feedback about the class, you will know your plan is working and that you have achieved your goal.
A: By using other means to educate your students, you will still stay on top of your lesson plans and curriculum while watching your students’ grades improve.
R: As students learn more when they have fun, this goal is entirely relevant and realistic.
T: You have a date set that you want to begin your goal, and you want to continue to achieve your goal every week.
Turn worksheets into games and lessons into experiments. Take the classroom outside and give your students options. Learning should be fun every day, so put yourself in your students’ shoes and imagine how that could happen.
Final Thoughts
There you have it. SMART goals for teachers in 2022 should be specific, measurable, attainable/achievable, realistic/relevant, and time-bound/tangible. Establish your goals by taking these steps and applying the tips above, and you are on your way to a great school year!
Need more inspiration? Check out our roundup of SMART goal templates to help you create your goals for this school year. And here are some SMART goals examples specific for kindergarten teachers.
Finally, if you want to take your goal-setting efforts to the next level, check out this FREE printable worksheet and a step-by-step process that will help you set effective SMART goals.
