The Day I Became a GOOD TEACHER

Check out Heimler's Teacher Resources (fully aligned to the CED):
Teacher Resource Packs:
+AP World: bit.ly/3XE12nM
+APUSH: bit.ly/44vi49U
New Sample Heimler Worksheets:
+APUSH: bit.ly/3NVRVvx
+AP World: bit.ly/46CfEbh
+AP Euro: bit.ly/3XBtkzi Video
KZbin Video NoteGuides:
+AP World: bit.ly/3NRHzga
+APUSH: bit.ly/3NUwwmj
+AP Euro: bit.ly/432NiE9
+AP Government: bit.ly/3XMSawp
HEIMLER REVIEW GUIDES (formerly known as Ultimate Review Packet):
+AP US History: bit.ly/44p4pRL
+AP World History: bit.ly/46rfHH1
+AP European History: bit.ly/3PCPyiw
+AP Government: bit.ly/3rfXr2Y
+AP Essay CRAM Course (DBQ, LEQ, SAQ Help): bit.ly/3XuwaWN
Summer Teacher Training: bit.ly/43hLyXI
The day I failed as a teacher was the day I truly became a good teacher.

[@thejackhalls]

I don’t know how often you read comments on a 1 year old video, but I just had to say I needed this today. With student loan payments coming due next month, and a bunch of other standard teacher stresses going on, I was questioning my choices a bit. It doesn’t happen often, but occasionally I wonder why I do this. It’s almost always money related, which I hate. The thing that gets me through it is that I absolutely love teaching. Then a week comes along where I feel like I’m not a “good” teacher anyway, and doubt starts to creep in. The algorithm did me a solid sending me this recommendation today. You gave me what I needed. Thank you for your passion, your humor, and your wisdom.

[@wiqz5682]

Student debt is what it is man, tons of people die with it.. just live in the moment and do the best you can.. I am starting my teaching degree next year and I am beyond stoked to share my passion and knowledge of history with bright young people. We are valued my man!

[@adminroxstargaming4334]

And you did us a solid by sharing your Honest experience. I am not yet a teacher, but I feared that I would fear this at later times and have thought to myself, what if I am just not cut out for it and all the thoughts that come along with that but I keep pushing forward and like these comments like these help me and others are like so thank you both

[@bradleypeters4384]

Yep! I have always found in my 32 years, the unscripted honest "conversations" are the most powerful. And they always happen when we least expect it!

[@HeimlersHistoryTeachers]

Seriously... After that, I made it a regular feature of class. 2-3 times a semester we'd have Q&A day. I don't think it ever had the same magic as that first one but it was always highly anticipated.

[@bradapeters]

@@HeimlersHistoryTeachers by the way I recommend your videos all the time to my students. Thanks for making them!

[@stephenglover1818]

teaching isn't about being a good performer

[@slighfox15]

I’ve been teaching history (World and US) for the better part of a decade. I cannot tell you how much I connected with your story; being overwhelmed, teaching as a performer, wanting the best for my students, but feeling as though I’m going to fail them. Right down to the moment that you closed the laptop and decided to connect with them as human beings. Your story is one that I wish every teacher/person heard. That while we might want to “be the best”, we are our best when we are true and authentic with those around us. I cried when I heard this, because I realized, “I’m not alone!” This feeling that I have to act in order for my students to learn, I realize, like you, that I can just be myself and care for my students; and that authentic presentation, that is what makes me a great teacher. That is when they tell me, “This was the best class I’ve ever had.” Thank you for sharing this, brother.

[@RedemptiveKing]

YOU ARE A LEGEND. THIS KIND OF HONESTY IS THE ONLY THING WITH THE POWER TO CHANGE THE WORLD AND WAKE US ALL UP.

[@amuginho7535]

My man! Just found this video after a "bad" lecture. Even though students gave me the feedback that I am doing well, I still somehow thought that I failed them. This story carries the essence of teaching and learning. You have to talk to your students, you have to LEARN first to be able to teach. Otherwise you are just the best student in the class, carried away by your own performance. Thank you!!

[@terryadams2992]

As a retired teacher who has "gone back to middle school", thank you for your honesty. More teachers need to hear your messages. We are indeed, people who have the passion to inspire our students despite the pathway we choose to reach them. Good job, Keep up the good work. Terry from Texas.

[@heathsteele5626]

Man, it's seriously like with every upload you have on this channel you cover or say something that I just REALLY need to hear. 3 preps and coaching has my grading backlog measured in weeks not days...went to school with barely any rest or any prep today just trying to figure it out. I guess sometimes students just need to see that side of their teachers. Thanks for the video, it was very inspiring and impactful.

[@HeimlersHistoryTeachers]

I'm so glad to hear it. And I can relate: the downfall of my teaching career has always been my delay in getting graded material back in a timely manner. It's my white whale.

[@omgbaiser]

This video is exactly what makes me want to teach. Connecting with the youth and genuinely helping them while showing I am there for them. Exactly as you said I want to show I care and love all of my students beyond a grade or test marks. You're awesome.

[@Oscar.Vasquezzz]

By and far my favorite perspective I’ve seen from a teacher on KZbin. There is so much ch magical Goodness about letting kids be themselves in this strange world

[@craigbagwarn1300]

It is about the challenges of our own EXPECTATIONS of what must be and what actually turns up. Young people knowing that you care is so important and the no.1 and in your lessons, vulnerability and HUMANITY, you probably gave them more than they had ever experienced in your diligently-planned lessons combine. Thanks for sharing.

[@ChadOconnor-kq7sf]

Great stuff... your authenticity in sharing is real and comes through. Without a doubt you're a great "teacher" because you're an honest adult who shares the truth, even when it makes you look like you're not perfect. I'm assuming you came to that realization because of district-aligned PDs... Keep rockin' brother

[@TheCoolestPetinTown]

Thank you for everything. I, a senior student, have been struggling to remember anything I learned from my classes and upcoming semester exams do not help my stress and anxiety. I'm in really bad brain fog. Can't get out of it, but when I'm out of brain fog, I remember it all. I'm just struggling really hard right now and want to cry because I feel like I'm not going to remember everything or anything small. I'm smarter than I know, but it's hard to see that right now. This video taught me that maybe I just need to put my focus off of trying to study all the time and over commit because it's clearly not doing me any good and to just enjoy myself especially since I've been as sick as a dog for the last 4 days. I'm tired of all the pressure time getting shorter and shorter everyday, so the best I can do is push through and know I'll at least make it out alive.

[@Plasmafox]

I searched "what makes a good curriculum" because I'm trying to learn how to use AI to help me organize my solo online learning and this was the second result. I'm not sure I got any smarter about that. But I did learn a lesson. Thanks.

[@justinbedell7902]

Our students flourish and engage when they see the human side of us. You’re right, we can and do perform and plan and execute…but it doesn’t always work out. Sometimes taking that “pause” and just being plain human and vulnerable with our students and engaging them at that level is just the break and inspiration needed. Well done, sir. I agree with some of the other comments. You just keep posting homerun videos. I’m a first year AP US History teacher. I’m in my 21st year of teaching. I’m a rigorous student of my profession and practice and I’m a first year teacher all over again. You’ve helped so much. Thank you.

[@sarahlawrence3762]

Thank you for this reminder. It’s been quite a few years and our students (and we) are struggling. Listening to each other and creating space for real conversations are needed more than ever. Also, my students and I think you’re kinda special ✌🏼

[@HeimlersHistoryTeachers]

For sure. The day I described was before the pandemic, and I think you're right: the urgency for understanding their personal struggles has only been multiplied over the last couple of years. Oh, and I think your students are pretty special too.

[@monicajones2334]

You are a true Rockstar Mr. Heimler. I can't thank you enough for inspiring me to be a better educator! Keep on, keeping on!

[@HeimlersHistoryTeachers]

I sure will. You too!

[@TriPham-j3b]

The past can never repeat and the best way to teach history is the humor in how we were that ignorance the way we peaked through curtain of time. No one should be teaching for safety because we can get blamed

[@rebeccatyndall301]

Okay now-that hit me square in the heart. I think I’ll be pondering this for a while. ♥️🎯

[@HeimlersHistoryTeachers]

Well, I really appreciate you watching it. It felt good to tell that story. It feels even better to know it resonates with someone else…

[@frankwright6692]

I have been utilizing your APUSH Heimler's History for a long time and I just now found Heimler's History Teachers! Thanks so much for creating this channel. I look forward to using this to help make me a better teacher. I love this story and have always felt that if you can touch their hearts, their minds will follow.

[@angelsscapes2977]

This is the kind of teaching we need to give our youth. We need to stop focusing on arbitrary benchmark standards and teach core values.

[@hlonni_chelsea6711]

I teac Business Studies and Languages. But this piece has just opened my eyes to another way of teaching and making ny learners feel the sense of belonging.

[@robbielawson3967]

Needed this. I’m retiring from the military in about 5-10 years and switching to teaching history

[@robbielawson3967]

It’s nerve racking to do one thing for 20 years and then switch over but this gave me some bit of confidence

[@sandponics]

When I taught technology from 1996 to 2005, I gave my students lists of relevant websites to visit and KZbin videos to watch, and the students then ended up teaching me new things that they had discovered online, which was great because I taught them what I already knew, and in return they taught me things that I did not know, it was almost like having my own personal research team. Now AI is the best teacher I ever had, I just ask it questions and it provides the answers.

[@AllanRochez]

Was not expecting to cry at the end what a beautiful story man God bless you bro

[@lauraschilling5088]

This is what makes you the kind of teacher that impacts lives. My AP Biology teacher did this, more one one one, with a couple of us. She is one of the reasons that I went into Pharmacy. My oldest is taking APUSH this year and has spent the summer watching your videos in her spare time. I bought the ultimate review pack and the notes pack and downloaded them all right away. Glad I did because it looks like you've gone solo and they changed the review packet slightly. How do I go about making sure I have continued access to your packets? I can buy them again from your site, just let me know.

[@AdrianasWonderland]

I almost cried hearing your words, thank you

[@julianmarsh8384]

I did have some 'teaching moments' in America but as a teacher I only came into my own when I left the States and taught at international schools, first in China and then Mauritania. In the States, one spends so much time babysitting while overseas I was a full-time educator. My students learned more than most American students and I learned more...we were flying high.

[@conanmagruder]

You helped me be a better AP World History teacher. I think the challenge for a lot of us is to look past our comfort zones and consider how we can do better at what we do. The Flynn Effect comes from us evolving our practice with the times as much as it does from technological improvements.

[@HeimlersHistoryTeachers]

I think you're absolutely right...

[@sandponics]

The challenge for most teachers is that because of the Internet, their students now have access to more information, that is better presented than the teaches know how to present.

[@conanmagruder]

@@sandponics In the sense that examples before context is far superior than context before examples I agree with you but there is a lot of content that does better at promoting recognition rather than comprehension. These are two different matters. What I appreciate here is about Heimler helping me learn that it was all about the relationships more than the "learning", which, in the defense of a lot of content creators in the attention economy... they know very well.

[@joebrannon8843]

I am beyond thankful to be an educator in the Heimler era😊

[@HeimlersHistoryTeachers]

Whoa, I have an era?! Nice...

[@ayushbanerjee4442]

excellent video, i liked this so much, being an assistant professor, I can relate with the content totally

[@Oscarminimalista32]

I don't really like to comment, just wanted to say thank you, the performance aspect resonated with me. I've often wanted to make class discussion based, but struggled because there's so much information. Thanks for this video Heimler!

[@HeimlersHistoryTeachers]

You're welcome! Glad I'm not the only one who struggles...

[@lenrb1814]

Oh man, this video was what I needed to hear today, I am studying to be a History teacher, I am on my mid college career and I just finished to make a class prep homework I was assigned to and I had to close my laptop and I ask myself: Will I ever be a good teacher? Am I ready to be one? and the fear of the responsibility came to me and it was when I found this video I basically typed on youtube: Things that tells you will be a good teacher and I found this video and this account and all that fear went away. THANK YOU FOR THIS MESSAGE!!

[@StaceyLMiller]

Well said. I needed to hear this. I am not a performer like you. But I care deeply about my students and I have always enjoyed these types of unscripted discussions (over the past 29 years) and every now and then I get the little "thank yous" from them. Thank you for the affirmation.

[@JacobZampella]

Tomorrow I am volunteering at a Teach-in for a middle school. I have experience teaching college kids but none with middle schoolers. Fearing for what to say and talk about, your video really helped give me inspriation and re-focussed my thoughts on what it is I can discuss. Thank you. The video was great!

[@ericaharris8641]

I needed to hear this today. Thank you.

[@HeimlersHistoryTeachers]

You are most welcome!

[@Kingeducates]

love this

[@matthewcoleman6680]

Mr.Heimler, as someone who wants to be future history and loves to performance based teaching too, in current day how to balance coming to school with that firey passion but also the calmness to just connect?

[@twlahue]

Awesome video. Great Stuff.

[@TheGamePlanEduSolutions]

Such a phenomenal video. Captivating story and extremely relateable. I think often vulnerability is misrepresented or feared by teachers. But I feel when we can see our students' humanity and they can see ours, thats when you REALLY start to create transformations in students lives. Great content as per usual!🙌 cheers to failing forward!

[@HeimlersHistoryTeachers]

Cheers indeed! I just checked out your channel and I’m super impressed!

[@TheGamePlanEduSolutions]

@@HeimlersHistoryTeachers Thanks! Keep milking them brain cells! Lol🙌👍🎉

[@danfloyd3823]

Thank you for this unexpected gift, Steve. You ARE the man!

[@HeimlersHistoryTeachers]

🙏

[@erickbyarushengo4726]

Thank you Mr. Heimler. I really enjoyed hearing this. I’m working my way to become a history teacher and want the students to be interested in the subject once I am a teacher. There are times when I’ve wondered about having an “ask me anything” at some points.

[@BibleHacks]

Wow, love this!! ❤

[@TriPham-j3b]

Go to other coubtries if you feel unfulfilled and move on until find one country that give opportunities for participate

[@uroojzaidi110]

How frquently do you think these discussions should be with our students? The ground reality is, we have to take lesson plans, we have to take curriculumn to the class, course completion etc.

[@MiguelExhale]

Great at telling stories.

[@srisindhu8109]

Tomarrow im haveing interview in school

[@guidofeliz8384]

I love numbers and yearned to be a high school math teacher but school officials, particularly the DOE, discouraged me as much as they could (without making it look so obvious) from chasing my dream. I also recall CUNY guidance counselors discouraging me from pursuing my academic objectives. This was all done in an effort to keep certain minorities from reaching success and job security. The New York City DOE is the definition of toxicity. So, I did others things with my life. Now at 59 years old with three (not boasting) college degrees, I find myself working as a security guard making peanuts for a living in a dead-end job with no pension, no benefits, a simple but confusing 401k (knowledge of the stock market is needed), and the list goes on and on. How about that for a story? P. S. I also worked as a substitute teacher for 8 years in NYC public schools. The worst 8 years of my life.

[@user-wv2mc1wf5x]

Thank you for sharing your story, this is powerful and genuine!

[@juliacorrea9187]

i was wondering when i'll stop feeling i'm a bad teacher cause i always give myself a hard time, starting this now

[@anniewarbucks9697]

Admin would burst in and write me up for this. And I’m being fired currently. Again.

[@bigchainring1977]

Sorry to hear about that..

[@artsticals]

WOW the music made me really tear up at the end

[@HeimlersHistoryTeachers]

Ha… me too

[@gabbygabs80]

This is so moving. I very badly want to be a teacher, I love the atmosphere of school... and im going to go to school for it. I want the students to love my class like this 💖

[@warrendolan2998]

Noticed the stack of books on the right, those are the same books used in a grad course I took this past spring. Perhaps we took the same course?

[@HeimlersHistoryTeachers]

Gilder-Lehrman? If so, then yep!

[@criptard]

I've always loved history. The wars the reasons either side had. I was never lucky enough to have a teacher who felt the same.

[@nicholasparker9055]

found this while im on the fence about switching my major to be a teacher, this video made me know I need to be a teacher. thank you so so much

[@jasonhill3270]

Thanks, man.

[@HeimlersHistoryTeachers]

Of course

[@carrieemmerson6410]

Nailed it. Again. Thank you.

[@OliverDixon-kb4si]

Wonderful story. Thank you teacher

[@tasrifhasan739]

I have only one word for you man. AMAZING ❤

[@Junk-tz6cs]

What grade was this particular history class? And, how would earlier grades respond?

[@miketacos9034]

5 preps oh my God… four is inhuman, 3 is the max of what teachers should have. But FIVE?!

[@alihajqasim6674]

In two months I will be starting my teaching career and I came across this amazing video

[@nor-ainunsaylamponi9816]

Thank you for this video ☺️

[@cheikhdiop7223]

Thank you for this video you get a new subscriber

[@BigMan757-89]

I hope to be as great a teacher as you one day!

[@JakeBollig]

I was moved by this video. I have a deep interesting in teaching but I didn't go to school for it or haven't taken any classes. Do you have any resources or guidance how I can learn the art and science of teaching a classroom of students? You told this story magnificently .

[@MrIbbitson]

Says a lot about History as a discrete subject...

[@lanamotaz8903]

how can i be that teacher with 3rd graders🥺🥺

[@bigchainring1977]

See through the eyes of a 3rd grader..

[@LilacPledge]

This is great. But when you said that ‘no teacher has ever allowed them to ask these kinds is questions’ I recognized that I have made myself special with those kinds of statements as well. This is not necessarily true though. Kids have other good teachers and other magic classroom moments besides me and my classroom.

[@davidfireman7]

I've been a teacher for over 20 years. I cried watching your video.

[@cwkimenhour8073]

Wow!

[@nurbujangbulama]

❤❤❤

[@skyisnotblueskyisblue2302]

this made me cry

[@nadavnc]

❣️. 💯.

[@easyacademy8110]

I think teacher's performance i.e deliveries is very important while care for students is only good for short term. If teacher cannot teach well students ultimately may give up on the subject.

[@bigchainring1977]

Disagree

[@nal004]

Isn’t there like…. A curriculum you’re supposed to follow? Don’t you just move on to the next topic. I mean it’s history after all just go to the next year

[@swizzlyswallows8250]

Have you ever taken a good history class 😂 your way would be boring AF,

[@TheGGreggs]

Sorry, but I'm not buying it. A good teacher can both be prepared for class AND draw out their students existential worries. You should have prepared. Anna can still ask her question whether or not you prepared for class. So why not prepare. Preparation is your first duty.

[@rexantony1099]

Im also sruggeling with teaching 🐵🐵

[@KimberlyHayes-j7c]

lol wow a whole class period of this. Glad you don’t work here bc if an evaluator came in, you’d be on an improvement plan. They do not count this as learning at all!!

[@DimEle-02]

[@PatrickSanchez-dk8hc]

🧢

[@yakkyuu12]

You are the poster child for what teachers should NOT EVER BECOME-- “a PERFORMER “! No - I am not at all MISSING. The point of your video! We all get that part! The “performer”attitude and it IS YOUR WANT- is going to destroy your attitude and career- a lot SOONER than you think!!! You are not an actor, you are not a performer- you are not in the classroom- to -- “constantly be on STAGE”! You sir, need a much better balance between creative approaches and teacher of concepts! Good teachers do want to inspire students to understand and retain concepts that will hopefully inspire them to want to learn more and be life long learners! I GUARANTEE your students like your “ entertainment “, they look forward to being “entertained” Your “dog and pony” show WILL create a LACK OF DEPTH, because it’s “”just a show” NO- your TEST scores DO NOT- reflect long term learning! Long term learning and teaching that inspires that, is demonstrated when your students get to the point- when they are--INTERNALLY MOTIVATED to INDEPENDENTLY take the CONCEPTS YOU teach and go deeper to understand more keep it! This is very different, than your confusion between “entertainment burnout” and “inspiring”!!

[@emiliosquillante1977]

No, you pandered to the mass. You taught no content therefore defoliating that precious hour of any meaning or lesson learned from that content. You were adrift. The classroom is not a cumbaya coffee date c 30 students at once. You are a poor teacher.

[@emiliosquillante1977]

If you are supposed to teach content in a class that is a prerequisite to my subsequent class and if this unstructured ignoring of syllabus was the norm you need to be rightfully brought up on a 5:25 negligence of duty charge.

[@niecokapikie7476]

Hello I’m 25 and have questions wonder if can ask for some help ? Just wondering if u got some time for dominic I’ll send email or video chat info after maybe some people respond ? This is a great

[@sandponics]

Probably the best thing would be to ask CHATgpt.