Teaching Philosophy
As an educator I adhere to the Nelson Mandela quote, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world”. I truly believe that through teaching I have the ability to create a more informed, compassionate world. I seek to enrich the lives of my students by providing them with a sense of self-efficacy and social responsibility, and by fostering in them a love for learning. I aim to reach this goal by giving my students a voice in classroom activities, challenging them to use critical thinking skills, setting high standards for them, and conveying a sense of passion while I teach. I believe in order for students to grow as learners they have to be in an environment where they feel comfortable asking and answering questions. They have to feel that their thoughts and opinions are valued. As an educator, I seek to create a nurturing learning environment that fosters student development and personal growth. I believe that every student who walks into my classroom will walk out with the confidence and critical thinking skills necessary to take on the issues facing them in today’s world.
I believe that students learn best when they construct their own knowledge through exploration, hands-on activities, and discussion. Through use of class discussions, Socratic seminars, and debates, I have found students to be more engaged in the learning experience. I believe these tools enhance critical thinking skills, teach students to be more tolerant/ accepting of opposing opinions, and improve public speaking skills. Even when giving direct lessons I make sure to ask the students thought provoking questions and give them time to discuss the topic at hand.
Furthermore, I believe that learning should be fun. When students enjoy what they’re learning and how they’re learning they will be more engaged in class and more likely to become life-long learners. I want my students to not only learn about the past, but also to live it themselves. I plan to create a classroom economy and assign classroom roles in order to create a game-based learning environment that simulates the past. Not only will this bring the past to life, I believe it will also reinforce classroom management.
In additional to intellectual growth, I hope to provide a space that fosters emotional, social, and philosophical growth as well. I believe a positive student-teacher relationship is vital to student growth. I think it’s important for students to see their teachers as advocates for their well-being. I take the time to get to know my students personally. I also make a point to pull kids aside and talk to them about their future plans and give them words of encouragement. I have found that showing an interest in my students’ lives and setting high standards for them encourages them to set higher standards for themselves. I know that not all of my students will be motivated to do their homework or come to class regularly, but at the very least, I hope to increase their confidence and self-efficacy. I believe that by supporting my students’ efforts, and teaching them to do the same to their peers, they will feel more empowered in the future.
Finally, I believe that learning is a life-long process. I once read, “Learning from a teacher who has stopped learning is like drinking from a stagnant pond.” I am constantly striving to become a more knowledgeable teacher and individual. I truly enjoy learning, reading, and traveling. It is my hope that my passion for knowledge will inspire my students to make learning a central part of their lives long after they leave my classroom.
I believe that students learn best when they construct their own knowledge through exploration, hands-on activities, and discussion. Through use of class discussions, Socratic seminars, and debates, I have found students to be more engaged in the learning experience. I believe these tools enhance critical thinking skills, teach students to be more tolerant/ accepting of opposing opinions, and improve public speaking skills. Even when giving direct lessons I make sure to ask the students thought provoking questions and give them time to discuss the topic at hand.
Furthermore, I believe that learning should be fun. When students enjoy what they’re learning and how they’re learning they will be more engaged in class and more likely to become life-long learners. I want my students to not only learn about the past, but also to live it themselves. I plan to create a classroom economy and assign classroom roles in order to create a game-based learning environment that simulates the past. Not only will this bring the past to life, I believe it will also reinforce classroom management.
In additional to intellectual growth, I hope to provide a space that fosters emotional, social, and philosophical growth as well. I believe a positive student-teacher relationship is vital to student growth. I think it’s important for students to see their teachers as advocates for their well-being. I take the time to get to know my students personally. I also make a point to pull kids aside and talk to them about their future plans and give them words of encouragement. I have found that showing an interest in my students’ lives and setting high standards for them encourages them to set higher standards for themselves. I know that not all of my students will be motivated to do their homework or come to class regularly, but at the very least, I hope to increase their confidence and self-efficacy. I believe that by supporting my students’ efforts, and teaching them to do the same to their peers, they will feel more empowered in the future.
Finally, I believe that learning is a life-long process. I once read, “Learning from a teacher who has stopped learning is like drinking from a stagnant pond.” I am constantly striving to become a more knowledgeable teacher and individual. I truly enjoy learning, reading, and traveling. It is my hope that my passion for knowledge will inspire my students to make learning a central part of their lives long after they leave my classroom.