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The Object of teaching a child is to enable him to get along without his teacher.
Elbert Hubbard
In the beginning, I was truly uninformed about the field of teaching and what it entailed; I have learned a great deal since then and aim to express that here. Since my introduction into the field of teaching I have gained a wealth of knowledge that can and will be applicable throughout my career. I aim to fulfill my professional roles and responsibilities as a teacher, and to maintain the ethical requirements of my profession. Four areas I find to be most important are my role as the educator, my students role in the classroom, the instruction and care of “disadvantaged” students, and the incorporation of the parents, as well as, the community inside and outside of the classroom.
I will embrace my teaching career as an opportunity to teach and to be taught. Of all my beliefs, I would have to say that John Pestalozzi said it most effectively with his philosophy that the best teachers are those who teach children, not subjects. I believe in the correlation between success and attitude; my students’ success depends greatly on the expectations I hold for them. I deem to create a classroom environment that exemplifies not only positive expectations, but high expectations as well. I want my students to feel personally challenged by their studies, and to question themselves as well as the world around them, through self-reflection. I will challenge my students to move beyond what they estimate to be their threshold for achievement into a world without academic boundaries. I will implement this through the incorporation of Gardner’s Nine Intelligences; each child learns in his/her unique fashion, be it visually, verbally, or bodily/kinesthetic. I will achieve this by interactive classroom discussions and/or activities, which will provide instant feedback on the absorption and understanding of the material being relayed to the student. When students become personally engaged in the subject matter, it forces them through independent thought to question their personal views and to venture into a world of exploration as they ponder differing ways to solve a particular problem. It is through the use of self-reflection and independent thought that one moves forward with his/her intellectual development.
It is my goal to provide a teaching environment conducive to the promotion and understanding of my students’ world. Maslows’ Hierarchy of Needs describes exactly what I find to be essential in a successful classroom environment. I know from experience, both through observation of children in the classroom, and as a student, that when the most basic of needs are not being met such as, proper nutrition, sleep, exercise and general health, then one can not possibly be expected to perform on any level, let alone add to their intellectual development. In addition, a child’s confidence needs to be respected and nurtured; it is at the elementary level that a child learns to view themselves in either a positive or negative manner, it is because of this that I will do whatever is within my power to bolster the positive.
Learning has to do for the most part with what a student accomplishes during their academic learning time, which also encompasses personal character attributes. First and foremost, the student has the responsibility of executing trustworthiness, meaning they will not lie, cheat, or steal. Second, all students have the responsibility to listen when the teacher or a fellow classmate is speaking. Third, the student has a responsibility to come to class prepared to learn and to complete and submit all assignments at the specified time. Fourth, students should care enough about one another to provide assistance and understanding to one another when needed. Last, but certainly not least, positive citizenship replication is necessary for the well being of each student as well as their peers. It is my job as the educator to model at all times these character building skills, and to ensure that my students are following my lead.
John Locke, a pioneer in his time coined the phrase “tabula rasa,” or blank tablet; meaning that a child has no innate characteristics, and that his/her environment is what will shape the mind. I am in agreement with what Locke was lending his beliefs to and that is, that differences in learning, achievement, socioeconomic status, early education, and experiences can severely affect a student’s opportunities for success or failure. A child’s future can be negatively reinforced when “disadvantaged” children fail to have the same experiences of their “more advantaged” counterparts. I believe that it is my responsibility, as a teacher, to extend, to the best of my abilities, the same opportunities to all students with whom I come into contact. I strongly disagree with the general consensus, that because a child comes from a less advantageous background, that hey are doomed to be unsuccessful, in fact; many of today’s most successful individuals have come from backgrounds which have been noted as dysfunctional, and are flourishing today.
A key element I find to be of significance is “the more the school and the family are joined as partners in educating young people, the greater the children’s chances for success, (Harry Wong). I truly believe in the adage, “it takes a village to raise a child”; there are many intricacy’s to a child’s composition, all of which need to be addressed. Therefore, if the school system, family, and community, work in conjunction with one another, our students will experience success. I feel that as the teacher it is my duty to convey an inviting personality that is caring, nurturing, and always ready to listen. Parents should be given ample opportunity to be a part of their children’s education by helping out in the classroom, as well as, parent/teacher conferences, by receiving updates via newsletter or e-mail as to the weekly activities in the classroom, and a schedule of community events and assistance.
Just as I expect my student’s to self-reflect, it is of even greater importance, that I continue my education. I don’t believe that the world of learning ends with a diploma, rather I believe that we are all student’s of life, and that daily we are pushed to new heights, as we tackle what life has to offer. I have found that with each unfolding day, and with each piece of knowledge gained, that my philosophy is sculpted, and has taken on a solid foundation from which I have launched my career. Teachers can either inspire the desire to learn, and not only stimulate growth, but also help to sustain that growth or; they can burn out the flame by refusing to be flexible and adaptive to the changes that take place every day both in society, and in the field of education.
Andrea Marie Pearson
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