The best teacher than I can remember
in school was my third grade teacher, Mrs. Garlington. She was always so enthusiastic about school,
and I never remember seeing her without a smile. Every classroom activity was fun and
exciting. My family struggled a lot
while I was young and growing up, but I never felt out of place in her
classroom. She didn’t treat me
differently due to the way I dressed, or the supplies I wasn’t able to
bring. She handled the classroom
situations in a calm way, and encouraged us in everything we did. It is the positive demeanor that she had that
makes her stand out to me so much. This
isn’t a quality that all teachers possess.
I have witnessed the other realm as well. The worst teacher I can think of was my ninth
grade Biology teacher. She was always
impersonal and critical. She seemed to
be frustrated easily and yelled at the class a lot. I often wonder if it was a disinterest in the
subject matter, or the teacher’s disinterest in the students that made the
material less interesting. I honestly
don’t remember much about the curriculum or content that was taught, but the
teacher will always stand out to me.
These simple experiences have made it clear to me that a quality teacher
has to have compassion for her students and enthusiasm for the content that they
teach. I want to remember this each day
in the classroom. I try to connect with
my students before I even begin teaching curriculum. I feel that they will feel the content is
important if they feel valued. A true
enthusiasm for learning can be contagious to the students.
Even with my limited experience, I
feel that I mostly fit under the philosophy of Constructivism when it comes to
considered whether learning should be student-centered of teacher-directed. I feel that when students can lead the
learning, they feel more valued and in control of their learning. I feel that learning should take place around
real world situations that are hands on, rather than predetermined worksheets
and agendas. I also feel that Pragmatism
suites me in some ways because problem solving is an important concept to teach
our students. I strive to teach my
students that their social conflicts can be solved if they right approach is
taken. They need to learn how to
socialize and resolve their own conflicts without the constant interference of
the teacher or adults.
I chose to be a teacher because I
enjoy those simple little moments with students when I can see that they have
been truly enlightened. I enjoy myself
when I am in the presence of my students and I enjoy the connections that I make
with them. I feel that I am making a
difference in the world and they are truly our future. I teach the way I do because I feel that
students need to be educated by teachers who care about their future. During the first week of school, I try to
make a connection with my students and bond with them. I want them to feel important and
valued. I also want them to know that
education is important. I try to spend a
large amount of time teaching them that social skills are just as important as
learning the curriculum.
To me, a great teacher is one who is
enthusiastic about teaching and makes their students feel like they are
important. Great teachers encourage
their students to succeed. They are
willing to go the extra mile and teach to the whole child. Great teachers also realize that not all
students learn the same; some students need extra time and new strategies. I had the opportunity to experience a caring
teacher during my education and I never forgot this teacher. She encouraged me each day, and I still
remember that.
I use these teaching methods because
I have seen them used successfully in other classrooms by quality teachers. I have teachers that I can look back to for
support and many of the strategies I use come from their encouragement. Some things have been used and developed over
the last year, and even adapted as needed.
I choose strategies that work for each student based on their needs. The assignments that I choose are based on
the needs of my students and their differentiated learning styles. I try to plan my assignments based on the
results of assessments, both formally and informally.
Technology is an increasingly
growing concept in our schools and is continuing to shape our world. In order to be a great teacher, I have to
incorporate technology across the board.
Last year, I feel that my students had little access to technology. This year in my classroom, my students will
be able to use simple computer processes, ipads, and a smart board. We will use several engaging and hands on
activities with technology. These
activities will be incorporated into the content and developed around the
curriculum. We have classroom computers
that will be open for student use each and every day. I will invited parents to expose their second
graders to technology at home with suggestions of websites and online
games. I would also like to put together
simple discs for my students throughout the year that can be used on the
computer. With the use of blogs, and wiki pages, I now have a deeper understanding of the impact that technology can make on our students. From an early age, children are exposed to technology in many forms. If we restrict technology use in school, we are restricting their learning. Their minds are programed to perform at a rate that is compatible with this same technology use. It's imperative to challenge their minds to stay on the same path. I plan to model, and integrate the use of technology throughout the curriculum. I now feel comfortable relying on technology as an aid, enhancement activities, and assessment tool.
When my students leave my classroom
at the end of the year, I want them to feel a sense of accomplishment. They should feel like they had a goal and
their hard work helped them to reach that goal.
I want my students to gain an understanding for their own responsibility
and how it affects their own lives and the people around them. I also want them to understand that it’s okay
to learn differently that those around them.
They need to be able to use the strategies that they have learned to
process the concepts taught and be able to relay those back to teach
others. My students should feel that I
was not just a teacher, but also a mentor, motivator and their safe-house for
learning without judgment.
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