My Beliefs about Learning:
Learning is a unique process. To acquire new knowledge through instruction or by studying is, of course, the overall goal for a student. However, this process of acquiring knowledge varies for every learner. Multiple factors that affect learning such as learning styles and theories, should be heavily considered by educators. Educators must keep in mind and ask themselves questions such as:
Does my lesson plan include audio or visual components for my audio and visual learners?
Does it include a chance for my students to socialize and learn from their peers?
Does it provide opportunity for students to work alone for all of the intrapersonal learners?
Does it allow kinesthetic components for students who learn best through movement and hands-on activities?
Does it give students choice in order to take ownership of their learning?
What kind of learning theories are coming into play? Will I create an environment that supports behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism?
Does it provide opportunities for students to create, collaborate, communicate, and think critically?
Does it afford students the chance to use and build their 21st century skills?
These are just a few of the many questions educators should consider. If learning is to take place, educators must provide accommodations to serves the needs of every, unique student.
My Beliefs about Teaching:
When I think of teaching, I primarily think of the basic definition of helping, guiding, and facilitating students to learn. However, beyond this basic definition, lies a multi-faceted expectation that I believe is required to be a successful educator. When I think about how each of my students learn in a unique way, it becomes essential for teaching to be differentiated as much as possible. Within lesson planning, I use pedagogical approaches to ensure I reach each one of my students and accommodate their unique learning styles. I do this by offering multiple ways to deliver the learning content such as through whole group instruction, small group instruction, and one-on-one intervention, using various forms of media, allowing movement around the classroom, providing hands-on activities, and more. A highly effective teacher has multiple ways to assess his/her students. I feel it is best to assess daily and use data to inform further instruction. Data should be collected continuously to determine changes needed for the instructor, as well as for the student. As students are able to view their own classroom data on a regular basis, it can help them be more interested in how they are doing, and know how far or close they are to their personal learning goals.
I also feel it is my obligation, as a 21st century educator, to create opportunities for my students to practice and develop skills needed in the 21st century world such as communication, collaboration, and critical and creative thinking. To accomplish this, technological tools are essential. I believe students should become familiar and knowledgeable with tools that allow them to create and design products that reflect their learning goals as well as publish their work for others to see. Teachers should give students opportunities to use social media to connect, share, and learn off of outside networks of students besides the ones in their own classroom. It should be a requirement for educators to redefine traditional classroom tasks that creates opportunities for students to not only learn, but also to explore, design, and share educational products that were once unthinkable without technology. Among every lesson, teachers should think of ways to weave the learning content, multiple pedagogies, and technology to support further learning.
None of the above would be possible without a positive culture in the classroom. It is the job of the teacher to establish relationships from the very beginning of the school year. Each day, teachers should take the time to get to know his/her students. A sense of respect and empathy for the various backgrounds their students come from is essential for connecting with students and earning the trust of their students. Likewise, a teacher should teach and expect respect and empathy from their students. This mutual expectation is a must in order to have a respectful and caring culture and safe learning environment.
Why Am I A Teacher?
I am a teacher because I am more than willing to wear the many hats involved in this job every single day. Not only do I wear the hat of an educator and make sure my students are learning, but I also wear many other hats that I personally find joy in doing. I enjoy wearing the hat of a friend by getting to know my students on a personal level and taking the time to understand and empathize where they come from. I wear the hat of a provider as by helping them on their homework after school or providing them with new coat so they are warm for the winter. I wear the hat of a counselor as I offer emotional support to the students who need help sorting out their anger and pain they deal with on a daily basis and need a shoulder to cry on when they have nobody else. I wear the hat of a cheerleader as I encourage students who have no confidence and think of themselves as a failure by staying by their side and never giving up on their success. I wear the hat of a nurse as I comfort and care for my students’ sprained ankles and paper cuts. I wear the hat of a role model because for many, I may be the only positive person in their life at home and make sure to demonstrate positive words and choices. I wear the hat of a mother and father for the ones who sadly, have lost one or both of their parents to the harsh, cruel, real world. I wear the hat as a performer to make sure my students are having fun and staying engaged at every possible moment they are in school. I find a personal enjoyment wearing these many hats, and that is why I am a teacher.