“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…” ~Dr. Seuss.
Teaching Philosophy
My goal as a teacher is to create a safe, respectful environment for students that facilitates learning. Often the only part of the day that makes sense for students is the routine of the school day. It is my intent to give them the tools that they need to succeed, not only in academia but in life as well. My classroom will be conducive to their learning needs and help them to strengthen their social connections and interactions. I want students to leave my classroom with more self confidence than they began with. This is done through respectful discussions, positive encouragement and the sharing of ideas. The classroom is not mine, it is ours and will become a small community during the school day. It will thrive with authenticity. I want to show a strong correlation between the learning that occurs in the classroom and the student’s lives. The students will be strongly encouraged to embrace diversity. The classroom is a no judgment zone. Everyone is accepted and new ideas and ways of doing things are always welcome.
Being a teacher is something that I have dreamed of since I was a child. I believe that great teachers are a stamp on a student’s life that will never fade away. I have had many amazing teachers along the way and one particular college professor that stands out in my mind. They all have a few things in common. First is a passion for teaching. A successful teacher must love what they do and want to be in the classroom. Second, a love for people. A teacher often spends more time with the students than their own family, they must care for their students. Students need the teacher’s 100% attention, focus and positive regard. Research by Dr. Aikaterini Fotopoulou, a director at the Neuropsychoanalysis Center in London, examines how touch, as simple as a pat on the hand or a high five can promote brain development (Psychology Today). It is similar to a listening ear. Listening to students communicates to them that they are worthy of your attention (The Center for Parenting Education). It also shows them that their views are important. This makes for a healthy, resilient, self confident, caring student.
Every teacher has a particular teaching style. It’s essential to incorporate different strategies in the classroom in order to maximize the student’s learning potential. There will be quick, to the point, lectures, paper handouts, short video clips and activities with stations so students can move around the classroom. It’s important that students have access to their preferred learning style but it will also be beneficial for them to become familiar with other learning styles as well. They will have choices. Students have a voice and will be able to express what works for them and what doesn’t. Pragmatism is an effective philosophy for setting the framework when establishing a cohesive classroom (The Role of Philosophy in Education). The educator must be progressive and open to new thoughts and ideas. Both the educator and the learner are essential to the learning process. Real world situations will be stressed. Personal growth is key to progress and what I hope for the students to establish by the end of the year (The Role of Philosophy in Education).
My classroom will be a safe place for students to learn and reach their academic goals. Each student is a unique individual that will learn at their own pace. I will vary the lessons to accommodate all types of learners. There will be an array of classroom activities that will help their communication with one another, improve study habits and explore learning strategies. Class discussions and group work will help students to learn to articulate and share their ideas. I want the students to leave the classroom, having experienced personal growth, strengthened social ties and having the tools that they need to succeed. Being a teacher involves life long learning and I believe that I will learn from the students as they learn from me. My ultimate goal is to instill in my students the love of learning and care for community and diversity that brought me to where I am today.
Work Cited
At Issue-The Role of Philosophy in Education-for-Work. (1996). Virgina Tech. Volume 33:2.
Bergland, Christopher. (2013). Loving Touch is the Key to Healthy Brain Development.
Psychology Today. Link to article
Learning. The Center for Parenting Education. (2018). TimeforLearning Inc.
www.timeforlearning.com.
Seuss. (2016). Oh, the Places You’ll Go! London: HarperCollins Children's Books.