What kind of teacher am I? (Personal Statement)
I am a passionate, dynamic educator who strives to help individual learners reach their potential, who values the well-being of others through inclusive classrooms and aspires to enlighten students of the possibilities in their future.
Personal Statement:
Professional Knowledge: (APST 1 & 2)
Professional knowledge requires a profound in depth understanding of each individual student and how they specifically learn. It is imperative to build a positive rapport with the students, parents and other teachers in order to create a trusting and safe classroom environment. My experience as a swimming instructor, and nanny has equipped and enabled me to be successful in pastoral care matters with children of all ages and abilities. I intend to gain respect from learners by practicing student-centered approaches to classroom teaching, where I put students at the forefront of learning and shape their classroom experience to be a positive and enjoyable part to their day.
I use restorative practices when approaching behavioral choices students make. Having them reflect on their actions and potential consequences of those actions helps build towards positive social behavior and respectful learning expectations.
To know the students is to also know how they learn; the students’ education should be nurtured, and personal knowledge can grow and develop through implementing the five different pedagogical teaching methods in the classroom: constructivism, inquiry-based, collaborative, reflective and integrative. It is imperative to know the content (History and English) in order to appropriately teach it however I also believe that the teacher can never stop learning and can build upon their knowledge whilst teaching a particular subject.
Professional Practice (APST 3, 4 & 5)
As a teacher, it is imperative to thoroughly plan each lesson to ensure maximum engagement and learning. It is also important to cater for students with special learning and social needs, through the use of different technologies, learning support workers, extra one on one time and modified assessments. Creating and maintaining supportive learning environments can be achieved through inclusive, supportive and healthy teacher to student relationships. To enable maximum improvement in various student's work, it is vital to provide specific feedback and reporting on their work.
Professional Engagement (APST 6 & 7)
It is important for teachers to continue developing their learning, and they can achieve this through attending various seminars and professional development work shops. Engaging with parents and colleagues is just as important as engaging with students, it is through this communication that we as teachers can learn and develop a deeper understanding on our students and their specific needs.
I have always had a passion for helping children, being a nanny and swimming instructor for 8 years has equipped me with many skills in building positive relationships with people and has sparked my passion for education. I hope that this passion translates through my teaching and I am able to enlighten the potential and possibilities that I know exists in each child, no matter their age.
Teaching Philosophy:
I believe being a teacher requires an understanding of each individual student and how they specifically learn; to put it simply, finding out what makes them, them. I have learned that it is so important to be constantly building rapport with the students, parents and other teachers, creating a trusting and safe environment. My experience as a youth leader, nanny, swimming instructor, waitress and now a Highschool Teacher has equipped me to be confident in my abilities to work with people of all ages, abilities and special considerations (foster care, special needs, domestic violence, substance abuse and even simply a lack of confidence in oneself).
My motive behind everything is in correlation with my faith in God; to show kindness, compassion, patience, thankfulness, creativity and resilience, and to teach my students that everything is an opportunity. This year I have learnt how to manage four classes; one being primary school, the other three being middle school, I especially enjoyed learning how to adapt to the ever changing work environment during covid and regular school events. I found confidence in offering to help with many activities and even had the privilege of running Remembrance Day assembly- a day close to my heart.
When running a class, I try to use as much positive reinforcement as I can when dealing with behavioral issues, however allowing them to reflect in their own space is also necessary at times. I believe speaking to the students at eye level is important for me, as I am young (and not that tall), allowing the individual student to feel respected, heard, seen and understood.
In 2020, I have learned that my purpose in my teaching career is to show the student’s how to have a voice, encourage them in their “calling” and to help them discover their purpose in this world. Also, that they are kids; they should be enjoying their childhood with as much optimism as possible.
My care for young people is genuine and I find joy and fulfillment in seeing them flourish in their own ways. I tell my students, “If you respect me, I will respect you. I will trust you until you break it and I will trust you again when you earn it back.” By having this approach I believe this teaches life skills and gives assurance that mistakes can be forgiven and second chances are possible.
I have been told that grace and compassion are some of my best qualities and I intend to keep these as I grow in my confidence as a teacher. My faith encompasses everything I do and I live my life according to Christian Values - I am active in my faith and attend the local church of Kadina (Sacred Heart) on a weekly basis.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
“The best teachers are those who show you where to look -
- but don’t tell you what to see.”
~Alexander K. Trenfor~