October 2, 2023 | Harold Hare

How can I become a Future Ready Educator?

How can an educator teach for an unknown future? After all, the word ‘unknown’ itself is used for a reason. However, educators can develop the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to encourage their students to think differently about what’s to come.

As much as we like to imagine our future in science fiction media, we actually have no idea what the future holds. Instead, we must learn to teach skills that fit into the puzzle of uncertainty that looms before us. This is no easy task. For instance, a recent report found that around 85% of jobs that will exist in 2030 have not been invented yet. Consequently, it’s becoming critical that teachers help students set into motion the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively utilize technology, be adaptive, and thrive in an ever-changing world.

And what about a future-ready ‘praxis’ for teachers? This idea of praxis, as some of us might remember from our education degrees, refers to the iterative, reflective approach to taking action. In other words, a future-ready praxis would be the link between theory, practice, and self-improvement through self-study. It’s why and how behind the art of future-ready teaching. So, what exactly does it mean to be a future-ready educator and how can we build the bridge between theory and action?

This connection between theory and action has become ever more important in recent times. At Find Your Grind we want to ensure that no educator lacks the skills to teach a Future Ready Mindset. This is because as 21st-century educators, it is our duty to prepare students for a future of ever-evolving technology and global interconnectedness. It is no longer enough to simply teach students the basic skills necessary to succeed in life. We must also equip them with the ability to be Future Ready. Therefore, here are a few Find Your Grind tips and tricks to kick-start your journey to becoming a Future Ready Educator.

Future Ready Educator Definition

So what is a Future Ready Educator? The textbook definition is as follows: an individual who possesses the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to adapt to the evolving landscape of education and prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century. However, at Find Your Grind, we believe it is more. Future Ready Educators inspire the next generation of change-makers (and other educators) to shift their thinking about success and engage them in a new conversation about self-discovery, career exploration, the future of work, power skills, and lifelong learning. They don’t believe everyone fits neatly in one box or under one label. Instead, Future Ready Educators support a lifelong journey of self-reflection — because life happens, and when it does, values and interests change. 

In other words, Future Ready Educators are not only proficient in their subject matter but also well-versed in a range of critical areas. They have developed the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to encourage their students to think differently about what’s to come.

Future Ready Knowledge, Skills and Mindset

Developing these critical areas as educators, helps us both teach and model the attitude and awareness needed to succeed in our rapidly changing world. Find Your Grind’s curriculum helps facilitate these types of mindsets. Here are three key areas educators can hone in on to improve their Future Ready Classroom practice:

1. Future Ready Educators embrace change. They understand that education is not a static concept, but rather a dynamic process that constantly evolves alongside technology and society. They stay up to date with the latest advancements in their field and actively seek out new ways to engage and inspire their students. In other words, they’re always learning, reflecting, and demonstrating how theoretical subject matter could link to real-world applications now or in the future.
   
2. A Future Ready Educator is a facilitator of the joy of learning. They know that their role is not to simply disseminate information, but to guide students on their journey of discovery and growth. They foster an environment that encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. They empower students to take ownership of their own learning by defining their passions. When students understand what they love and advance in relevant skills, they’re much more likely to succeed in an ever-changing world.
   
3. A Future Ready Educator is a mentor and a role model. They inspire students to reach for their dreams, pursue their aspirations, and offer guidance and assistance throughout their academic journey. A Future Ready Educator also creates an inclusive, respectful, and empathetic environment that enables students to expand their social and emotional competencies required to thrive in a dynamic and interconnected world.

By becoming Future Ready Educators, we can better prepare our students for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, ensuring that they are equipped to thrive in an ever-changing world. In doing so, we not only empower our students but also contribute to the progress of society as a whole. And it’s not just about teaching the curriculum; it is about preparing students for a future that we cannot yet imagine. It is about equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in an ever-changing landscape. It is about developing tomorrow’s leaders who will shape the world for the better.

Would you like to develop these skills even further? Are you an educational leader who wishes to support their staff or colleagues with the development of their Future Ready teaching knowledge, skills, and mindset? Then reach out today to find out more about Find Your Grind’s Future Ready Educator Professional Development Program. Our one-of-a-kind training takes the future ready mindset to the next level. Book a call to ensure your school empowers students to live their best lives while shaping the world for the better.