Teaching+Philosophy

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Google Bio

 Having always been a great student and overachiever despite home life distractions, I have learned that they key to education is learning how to learn, how to cope and deal with social issues appropriately, and when students are motivated, they will live up to expectation and strive to do the best that they can (Wolk 2010). Students need their educational experience individualized and that getting to know students is the key to finding out how to motivate and build on their skills (Wolk 2010). I believe that all kids have different styles of learning and instruction should be differentiated to meet all of these needs.  I want my students to walk out of my classroom, knowing how to collaborate, cope with conflict efficiently, have stronger problem solving skills, and learn how to learn in several ways ( Gibbons 2010). For example, I would love for my students to be able to do a project-based lesson and work with partners and solve a problem in a creative technology-based method much like in Wolk’s article. Ideally the focus should drift away from standardization and it should be more alternative to meet students’ needs.  In order for my students to learn these key non academic skills, I have to be an approachable facilitator that uses my compassion and humor to hook students into some of the complex content (Rosemarin 2009). Its not about the content as it is about how creatively its presented and how interesting it is to the students. I teach a lot of subjects and could teach any subject by using creativity and using pedalogical strategies to attract students.  My ideal classroom would have cubicles versus desks to minimize distractions but the collaboration and working together would occur using computers daily and have access to the computers at all times. We could do online programs, read each others comments on a moodle page and respond, or work together on a project. My classroom would have windows to sooth and calm their emotional needs. I know I enjoy nature even when it rains or snows. I also would have a conference room for parent meetings or student conferencing to encourage individualism. I would also present all instruction using an overhead projector using real -world applications and connections to build on the world that currently surrounds my students. Overall, the atmosphere of my classroom would be everything you need is at the tip of your fingers.

 Overall, I believe students learn best with an effective facilitator and should be treated and learn on their individual levels. with dignity and respect. They need to learn in an environment that ties the real world to the curriculum. Students in my room with walk away with learning how to learn, how to deal with conflict, participate in problem-solving and learn how to be productive members of society.

Sources: Gibbons, P. (2003). Why teachers matter. Journal of Education, 184(3), 47-57 Wolk, R. (2010, April). The education: The case for making.Educational Leadership, Rosemarin, S. (2009). Who is the best teacher? do different kinds of students have different preferences?. Gifted Educational International, 25, 48-55.