Patrick Videll

Who am I?  

My name is Patrick Videll and I’m working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.  I was born and raised in Virginia Beach, attending great schools with amazing teachers that ultimately inspired me to walk the same path.  My parents are also educators in the school system and have demonstrated the virtues of a successful educator for as long as I can remember.  While it took some time to come around to the idea of becoming a teacher as well, I’ve come to realize that it’s a natural calling where I’m ultimately eager and excited to guide young minds to their utmost potential just like the teachers I fondly remember.  I’m excited to join a fulfilling career in a field I’m sure to navigate and overcome any challenges I might face using skills and techniques passed on to me by some of the best educators I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.

What I Know – I know that we are fortunate.  We have so much opportunity at our fingertips if we’re willing to capitalize on and make the best of our time on this rock together.  I know that we all want what’s best for our kids and our communities and I know that as long as I keep this core belief at the forefront of my mind, my actions that follow will lead me and my students to be the best versions of ourselves.

What I Have to Learn – Learning is a constant and remaining humble, malleable, flexible to new and different ideas and ways of thinking are paramount to continued success in any field, especially teaching.  I hope to learn continually from experienced peers and colleagues, professionals as well as from my classroom students who, no doubt, each bring with them a different perspective and upbringing than perhaps the one I enjoyed.

The teacher I will become will be one of nurtured enthusiasm.  My students will enjoy attending my classes because of the inclusivity they feel when they walk through my doorway as well as the overwhelming support they receive from me and from each other. 

Progressivism & Social Reconstructivism are two philosophies of education that share some commonality between them therefore, including both paints a clearer picture of the perspective from which I teach. Progressivism is defined as teaching problem solving however Social Reconstructivism teaches students to identify these problems as inequities and proceeds to inspire students to act and work together towards  a solution.  This is the approach I aim to use I inspire my class to be curious about the world, identify injustices and think critically, logically, but also emotionally about finding a compassionate solution to improve the world for all of its inhabitants.

A Note about AI Use - 

• The Gencraft AI program was utilized to create the images seen above of elementary school students problem solving to improve the world for everyone.

• Grammarly was used for speelcheck

Comments:

Natalie Lacer: I have come to the same conclusion- education is also my natural calling! While I tried to steer away from it, I ended up committing to education after all. I also align very closely with your teaching philosophies, I want to help instill empathy and logic into my future students! 

Hey Patrick, my parents are also educators and are what mainly inspired me to become one myself! I really like the quote you included by Mark Van Doren; what I see inside of classrooms nowadays makes me think that the kids need to be more encouraged to use their curiosity and discover/try new things! I find it interesting that you referred to your former teachers that you think of fondly, because that was also a big reason why I wanted to get into education. The teachers I have had in the past are some of the smartest people I've ever met. -Peter Ortell