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Why I Teach
Why I Teach
Creating a safe and interactive learning environment- My primary goal as a teacher is to help students feel safe and comfortable to learn in the classroom. When students are involved in creating rules of safety and respect, students will learn to work and learn together by sharing and growing from each other.
Teaching is a responsive role- "Everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." Einstein's quote encourages educators to nurture the strengths in students and guide them, not just to succeed in the standards set forth by the government, but also to succeed in finding happiness and meaning in the lives they live. All students are different, and it is a teacher's responsibility to meet the learning needs of each child, and to foster a safe learning environment for students to learn cooperation and respect for others. Teaching is a responsive position, where the role of a teacher changes depending on what works best for the students at a given time.
Leading by example- I believe the best way to teach is by example. When teaching EFL in South Korea, using the target language being learned in class, in a relevant context has helped students gain experience practicing the language in a meaningful way. Having students find English and practice English outside of the classroom through homework and extra credit activities has encouraged them to adopt English into their everyday life routine.
Along with being an EFL teacher, I also have experience teaching music, specifically the clarinet and saxophone. I currently use music and chants in my English classes, and I enjoy performing at my middle school whenever the opportunity arises.
Learning is a lifelong endeavor- Effective lifelong learning requires collaboration not just between the student and the teacher, but also including the students’ families and friends. It is important to establish open communication between the parents and the teacher in order for the student to have a strong support network for their continued growth and learning as they keep developing.
How I Teach
How I Teach
Whole group
Whole group
Students each participating in a whole-class activity, discussion, debate. I like to introduce a topic briefly in the whole group, then let students break off to small groups or stations.
Small groups
Small groups
Small groups encourage teamwork and cooperation among students. Each student has a job in their group. Small groups can present and discuss their findings, for example- Math Talks. I also like to pull focus groups for Literacy and Math to give guided practice to students in certain skills.
Project-based learning
Project-based learning
Students can experiment and create projects for assessments- in groups or individually. Students ensure they include all important parts of their projects by creating checklists and understanding each part of the rubric for the project.
Virtual learning
Virtual learning
Virtual learning has its challenges, yet students are able to share ideas easily using Padlet and Jamboard apps. Using Google Classroom, students are able to monitor their progress and easily access lessons at their own pace.
Afterschool learning
Afterschool learning
Afterschool activities engage students in creative activities. Students can learn outside of their homeroom environment. Any extracurricular activity shows students that learning can happen anywhere, anytime. I have enjoyed leading origami club, jump rope club, homework club, and assisting with ukulele club.
What I Teach
What I Teach
I aim to instill in students the confidence to explore and to fail. I hope to feed their curiosity. I encourage them to discover that working together helps us reach our highest goals. I model communication with kindness and empathy.
I teach student agency and intrinsic motivation by having students set their own unique goals, and planning the skills they need to practice to reach those goals.
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