My Teaching Platform
04 December 2014
In three short months, I find what is important for me is that I hold these same beliefs true. While I can always appreciate remaining open-minded and being open to criticism, new ideas, and innovation, I feel that it is crucial to keep my values consistent. I want to know that I can rely on my moral and ethical beliefs. I am happy to report that the below "initial" teaching platform I posted is one that remains relevant to me and I hope to carry this with me throughout my career.
This semester has still taught me a lot about what is important in the classroom and really opened my eyes to many things of which I was unaware, like the prevalence of diversity and how culturally aware I must be in order to relate to my students. While I already knew this would be the case, I learned that I need to be accommodating to my lower level students who require more attention and sometimes also modified lesson plans. I know how much effort it takes to create quality lessons and the preparation involved. I have learned much more responsibility and the ability to take ownership of my work.
I look forward to expanding my platform as the semesters go by and I gain more insight as well as experience working with the students.
In three short months, I find what is important for me is that I hold these same beliefs true. While I can always appreciate remaining open-minded and being open to criticism, new ideas, and innovation, I feel that it is crucial to keep my values consistent. I want to know that I can rely on my moral and ethical beliefs. I am happy to report that the below "initial" teaching platform I posted is one that remains relevant to me and I hope to carry this with me throughout my career.
This semester has still taught me a lot about what is important in the classroom and really opened my eyes to many things of which I was unaware, like the prevalence of diversity and how culturally aware I must be in order to relate to my students. While I already knew this would be the case, I learned that I need to be accommodating to my lower level students who require more attention and sometimes also modified lesson plans. I know how much effort it takes to create quality lessons and the preparation involved. I have learned much more responsibility and the ability to take ownership of my work.
I look forward to expanding my platform as the semesters go by and I gain more insight as well as experience working with the students.
04 September 2014
I find that the goal of education, in its simplest form, is to ensure all students have the equal opportunity to gain knowledge and reach their fullest potential. The three most important things that I want my students to learn are as follows: the love of learning for the sake of learning, the ability to apply what they learn outside of the class, and the ability to question things and ask for help when needed. I think that students all learn in their own ways- some solely by listening while others take the hands-on approach, etc. It all depends upon the student and often takes a bit of trial and error to find the best methods for him or her. The best way to know that they are learning, I feel, is assessments; however, this does not necessarily mean tests that are graded. Rather, I believe frequently assessing the skill level helps the teacher to see improvement, resulting in proof that the students truly mastered the skill.
I expect a lot from my future students. The number one thing I will expect is that they always push themselves to achieve as high as they can. The last thing I want to see is a gifted student who tosses aside his potential out of disinterest or a student struggling so much that the discouragement of not understanding leads to a lack of desire for learning. I expect that my students will always feel free from judgment and the liberty to ask for help when needed. Five years after leaving my classroom, I want my students to say that I was the teacher who always fought for them to believe in themselves and reach their potential.
I think that the context of where teaching occurs can influence how one teaches. I believe any situation can be turned around into a positive one. If you make me have my class outside, I will use nature as a resource for education. If you place me in a classroom where there are limited supplies, I will have to get creative and work with what is available. Of course having a great toolkit will make a task much easier, but any professional and passionate worker will make do with what he can in order to repair what is broken.
When teaching a lesson, there are always sure signs that it was effective. A big sign is whether the students are engaged in the lesson. If you are teaching a certain subject that can often be dry and frankly boring, you want to play it up in an interesting way that keeps the students’ attention. If they are more interested in conversing or engaging in other activities, this could be a sure sign the lesson is lacking.
I find that the goal of education, in its simplest form, is to ensure all students have the equal opportunity to gain knowledge and reach their fullest potential. The three most important things that I want my students to learn are as follows: the love of learning for the sake of learning, the ability to apply what they learn outside of the class, and the ability to question things and ask for help when needed. I think that students all learn in their own ways- some solely by listening while others take the hands-on approach, etc. It all depends upon the student and often takes a bit of trial and error to find the best methods for him or her. The best way to know that they are learning, I feel, is assessments; however, this does not necessarily mean tests that are graded. Rather, I believe frequently assessing the skill level helps the teacher to see improvement, resulting in proof that the students truly mastered the skill.
I expect a lot from my future students. The number one thing I will expect is that they always push themselves to achieve as high as they can. The last thing I want to see is a gifted student who tosses aside his potential out of disinterest or a student struggling so much that the discouragement of not understanding leads to a lack of desire for learning. I expect that my students will always feel free from judgment and the liberty to ask for help when needed. Five years after leaving my classroom, I want my students to say that I was the teacher who always fought for them to believe in themselves and reach their potential.
I think that the context of where teaching occurs can influence how one teaches. I believe any situation can be turned around into a positive one. If you make me have my class outside, I will use nature as a resource for education. If you place me in a classroom where there are limited supplies, I will have to get creative and work with what is available. Of course having a great toolkit will make a task much easier, but any professional and passionate worker will make do with what he can in order to repair what is broken.
When teaching a lesson, there are always sure signs that it was effective. A big sign is whether the students are engaged in the lesson. If you are teaching a certain subject that can often be dry and frankly boring, you want to play it up in an interesting way that keeps the students’ attention. If they are more interested in conversing or engaging in other activities, this could be a sure sign the lesson is lacking.