As a teacher, I believe in being a role model for others and that teaching does not stop outside the classroom. Rather, it is a way of life which reflects on the people we impact through knowledge sharing and learning. A great teacher must demonstrate unprecedented passion and enthusiasm in their field of expertise. This energy is contagious and would fuel the drive of their learners. I have been lucky to have great teachers throughout my learning experiences and I aspire to become one of them. While teaching, it is important to recognize the need for personal and professional growth through feedback, reflection and self-improvement activities. My teaching philosophy is based on three fundamental principles; Understanding, Motivating and Coaching.
Understanding: I seek to identify and utilize various teaching methods to meet the needs of every learner. I believe teaching styles should evolve periodically to better meet the needs of our audience. Teaching is a shared experience between the learner and the instructor and; hence, a safe environment is fundamental for effective learning to manifest. As a teacher, my goal is to impart my learners with life-long skills and the ability to think critically in everyday life. My priority as a teacher is to identify the needs of my learners through class activities, observation, and the use of technology. Once I understand my audience, I shall endeavor to prepare their learning materials to accommodate their needs. To me, learning is a shared experience, in which, both the learner and the teacher should derive knowledge from one another.
Motivating: As a teacher, my goal is to maintain open and timely communication channels between myself and my learners. I try to maintain an open-door policy for my students to provide clarifications and discuss concepts beyond the walls of the classroom. I incorporate current events, such as, pharmaceutical trends and peer-reviewed concepts during my teaching activities. I also try to reference everyday scenarios to explain concepts.
Coaching: It is important for a teacher to identify their audience based on strengths and weaknesses using evaluations, such as, quizzes and assignments. Once I understand my audience, I use the results to guide my content delivery. In terms of content delivery, I turn to use a multi-style approach ranging from traditional lecture formats with PowerPoint presentations to analytic readings from peer-reviewed journals, group discussions on theories and concepts, interactive activities, and games. I usually use guides, such as, class size, time, and the classroom layout as a deciding factor for my approach.
Finally, my overall goal is to ensure continuous growth and development in my teaching skills, while staying relevant and current with my expert knowledge. Also, I aim to inspire my students to become enlightened and productive citizens who are fully engaged in their communities.