1B. MY TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

Born to be a teacher, my teaching philosophy continues to emerge from my over 50 years of teaching experience at all levels in the education system: early childhood, primary, secondary and tertiary.

As a passionate, caring, reflective role model and mentor whose love for learning knows no limits, I use evidence-based data and student feedback as I actively seek to:

fully engage learners
promote critical thinking and problem solving skills
provide a firm foundation for lifelong learning.

In fully engaging learners and promoting critical thinking and problem solving skills, I use a variety of state-of-the-art techniques and strategies based on fundamental educational principles espoused in well known teaching and learning theories. Brainstorming; Case Studies; Colloquia; Conferences; Debates; Discourse Analysis; Differentiated Learning; Discovery Learning; Discussion groups; E-Learning; Field Work; Flipped Classroom; Independent Studies; Individualised Learning; Interactive Seminars; Interviews; Lectures; Mentoring; Peer Tutoring; Problem-Based Learning; Project-Based Learning; Puzzles; Research; Role Play; Self-Directed Learning; Seminars; Service Learning; Simulations; Story Boarding; Symposia; Tutorials; etc. to mention a few are some of the methods I use regularly.

Embedded in the foregoing strategies is the ongoing process of reflection (reflection-in-action, reflection-on-action, reflection-after-action) and also my 360 degree assessment: self assessment, peer assessment and teacher assessment.

Some details of some of the various forms of assessment (diagnostic, peer, authentic, portfolio, performance, traditional, online, etc.) that I use regularly may be found in several of my publications: http://www.reiters.com/search/site/Betty%20McDonald

Treating each learner (with his own learning style/learning preference/multiple intelligences, etc.) as a unique individual bestowed with special gifts and talents and purposefully using developmentally appropriate techniques I allow my learners to engage fully; take responsibility; be accountable; continually set high standards; value diversity; promote critical thinking and problem solving skills and provide them with a firm foundation for lifelong learning.

Enthusiastically communicating with clarity, empathy, passion and sincerity continues to produce amazing results.