my Teaching Philosophy
Education is absolutely essential for students to become autonomous, responsible decision-makers. Without education, there is no advancement of society or sharing of innovative ideas and technology. We need to be educated in order to find love and respect for ourselves, others, and the environment. Each of our specific education paths should emphasize and reflect the special traits and talents we possess.
Teachers should always be a guide, directing students where to go or how to learn without being completely authoritarian. They are leaders and should exhibit qualities befitting of such: strength, dignity, control, patience, etc. Teachers are examples; all eyes are watching their actions, attitudes, and mannerisms. Teachers also perform the role of counselor for each student, and it is our responsibility to direct students toward a righteous path. Consequently, the teacher must also always be a fair and just disciplinarian in order to provide a safe environment for students to learn.
Every child learns differently, which is why I plan on teaching with a constructivist attitude. My instruction will be student-led and experiential. There will be very few lecture-only class periods. Instead, I will focus on Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences and teach to the whole child, respecting the various skills and abilities that best works with each one.
Curriculum serves to prepare the teacher. This, like the learning theories, should be centered around student interests. If what is taught has more pertinence to the students’ lives, they will be more involved and foster higher levels of retention.
There are various types of assessment, but the most obvious, standardized testing, is the easiest to conduct, and therefore, also the most widely used and accepted. Unfortunately, this does not take into account all aspects of learning. A different way to assess learning is simply to engage with the students. My favorite way to assess student growth and progress is through discussion or journaling. However, in order to conceptualize whether or not students are learning, one can simply observe them. Classroom disruptions are also usually a sure sign of misunderstanding or boredom. Monitoring classroom behaviors and activities can be just as valid as any multiple-choice exam.
Teachers cannot do it alone, however, and they always need the support of their district and the students’ parents. The teacher is responsible for causing the student to learn, but without parental help, the student is still unlikely to succeed. Open lines of communication are a must for building relationships between parents, teachers, and students. My lines will always be ablaze with praises, concerns, reminders, and especially good jokes.
A great teacher formulates a personal philosophy early on and allows that to remain fluid all throughout their career, changing with each group of students and as better ways arise. Those teachers know they aren't just teaching a subject. We are teaching acceptance, success, personal responsibility, courage, integrity, community, and love. Teaching is hard, but living in a world where our children are not taught how to think critically while also exercising compassion and how to compete in a global technological economy is harder.
Teachers should always be a guide, directing students where to go or how to learn without being completely authoritarian. They are leaders and should exhibit qualities befitting of such: strength, dignity, control, patience, etc. Teachers are examples; all eyes are watching their actions, attitudes, and mannerisms. Teachers also perform the role of counselor for each student, and it is our responsibility to direct students toward a righteous path. Consequently, the teacher must also always be a fair and just disciplinarian in order to provide a safe environment for students to learn.
Every child learns differently, which is why I plan on teaching with a constructivist attitude. My instruction will be student-led and experiential. There will be very few lecture-only class periods. Instead, I will focus on Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences and teach to the whole child, respecting the various skills and abilities that best works with each one.
Curriculum serves to prepare the teacher. This, like the learning theories, should be centered around student interests. If what is taught has more pertinence to the students’ lives, they will be more involved and foster higher levels of retention.
There are various types of assessment, but the most obvious, standardized testing, is the easiest to conduct, and therefore, also the most widely used and accepted. Unfortunately, this does not take into account all aspects of learning. A different way to assess learning is simply to engage with the students. My favorite way to assess student growth and progress is through discussion or journaling. However, in order to conceptualize whether or not students are learning, one can simply observe them. Classroom disruptions are also usually a sure sign of misunderstanding or boredom. Monitoring classroom behaviors and activities can be just as valid as any multiple-choice exam.
Teachers cannot do it alone, however, and they always need the support of their district and the students’ parents. The teacher is responsible for causing the student to learn, but without parental help, the student is still unlikely to succeed. Open lines of communication are a must for building relationships between parents, teachers, and students. My lines will always be ablaze with praises, concerns, reminders, and especially good jokes.
A great teacher formulates a personal philosophy early on and allows that to remain fluid all throughout their career, changing with each group of students and as better ways arise. Those teachers know they aren't just teaching a subject. We are teaching acceptance, success, personal responsibility, courage, integrity, community, and love. Teaching is hard, but living in a world where our children are not taught how to think critically while also exercising compassion and how to compete in a global technological economy is harder.