Why Teachers Need to Be Authentic and True to Themselves

Every educator brings a unique perspective, creativity and passion to their classroom. That’s why it’s important to allow teachers the freedom to pursue their own vision of what great teaching looks like.

When teachers are trusted to innovate, experiment and adapt their methods to the needs of their students, they create more engaging learning experiences. This autonomy promotes ownership and motivation, which in the end benefits the students. No universal approach can capture the diversity of learning styles in the classroom. Empowering teachers to follow their instincts makes education more responsive and dynamic.

The greatest gift I have been given in my career is the ability to fail and recover. (Thank you, Mark Hiltunen!) Equally important is the ability to learn from failure. Teaching involves constant trial and error. Sometimes a lesson plan doesn’t land, or a strategy doesn’t have the intended effect. When teachers feel safe to fail, they can reflect honestly, evolve and adapt. This process builds resilience and deepens their understanding of what truly works.

The enemies of growth are rigid systems and fear of judgment. These create a toxic culture that discourages risk-taking, leading to a culture of conformity rather than creativity. To truly support teachers, schools must create a culture where innovation and failure are part of the learning journey. Teacher evaluations should focus on improvement, not punishment.

Allowing teachers to pursue their vision and learn from setbacks isn’t just great for educators, it’s essential for students. It leads to productive classrooms, personalized learning and a culture of continuous improvement.

When teachers are empowered, everyone wins.

2025-26 Michigan Teacher of the Year Corey Rosser is a social studies teacher at Quest High School in North Branch Area Schools in his 22nd year of teaching.