Philosophy+of+Teaching

“A teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring the pupil with a desire to learn is hammering on a cold iron.”-Horace Mann

My philosophy of teaching is a reflection of my experiences as a student, as a volunteer and an intern as well as application of relevant psychological theories. As a teacher, I aim to create a positive learning environment, where all students are engaged in the material. I hope to foster collaboration amongst my students, and challenge each of them to reach their full potential.

It is important to encourage students to work in collaboration with their classmates and become active group members. It is equally important for teachers to include all students in classroom activities, despite evident limitations. A teacher must be willing to differentiate each lesson based on students' needs. As teachers, we must acknowledge that each of our students are unique; within one classroom there will be a variety of learning styles and abilities. Teachers must take this factor into consideration and attempt to use a variety of teaching methods and assessments. Material must be relevant and accessible to students in order to increase motivation; therefore, we must take the time to get to know each of our students.

Collaboration is also essential for teachers. The responsibilities of a teacher goes beyond involvement in the classroom; teachers must also become active members of the school community. A teacher must be encouraging, cooperative, innovative and dependable.

For learning to be effective, it should be centered around the students. Teachers should facilitate the learning experience while encouraging students to become independent, lifelong learners. Students should be provided with the opportunity to discover i.e. learn material through hands-on exploration.

 I strive to keep an open mind and prepare my students for their future. As new teachers, we are entering the world of education as it is undergoing drastic changes. We must plunge into the world of technology and embrace these many advancements. Although the abundance of emerging technologies is overwhelming, it is our duty to remain up-to- date and incorporate these technologies into our classrooms. The field of education is continually changing, therefore, a teacher must embark in continual learning.

I believe that my philosophy of teaching will quickly evolve as I continue to gain firsthand experience. Finding strategies that work in the classroom will likely be matter of trial and error, thus, my method of teaching is expected to improve with experience.