I want to teach because for as long as I can remember it’s what I’ve wanted to do. School was never easy for me and the teachers that realized what a significant struggle it was for me, really turned my life around. At some point, I was even told that I wasn’t smart enough to go to college. But there were those teachers, the special ones, who continued to encourage me and taught me that life is a struggle and that it is worth every time I had to sweat over a test or wonder whether I was good enough to sit in class with my peers. I want to be one of those teachers. I want to be a role up my sleeves, get my hands dirty kind of teacher. I want to have an open-door policy, offering aid to my students in the form of classroom learning and tutoring. I want them to see how much I enjoy being in the classroom so that maybe – just maybe – they will want to be in there with me. I want to be reachable and approachable. At the same time, I want my students to respect me as a teacher. I will always have boundaries and rules. The students need a great teacher, not a good friend. I am and will continue to be a reflective educator. I believe that we learn from our mistakes, our peers, and even our students. I will remain open to all that I am taught from them.
I have chosen middle grades because it was during this time in my life when I changed. I began to understand that I could be somebody – somebody special. As I worked with different age groups, my thoughts of teaching middle grade students were confirmed by my seeing how eager the middle schoolers are to learn. I have been in front of them instructing and I love the feeling that I get when they finally understand something. When the students begin to participate in a lesson and offer their insights, I get excited that they have grasped something I have tried to teach them. The teachers that I learned the most from were those that didn’t go over my head with big words and concepts that I would never understand. The teachers that explained things on an age-appropriate level and were able to relate the topic to real life are the lessons that I remember. Those are the things that I want my students to remember from me.
Every child learns differently and I want to help those who struggle in the classroom. My fuel is to help kids learn the thing that they might not learn in any other class. Education doesn’t limit itself to what is in the text book; there can be so much more that one child can learn if only given the opportunity. I hope to offer opportunity one child at a time. I like a fast-paced environment that keeps the students moving and learning. I will incorporate different kinds of teaching styles (self-directed, cooperative grouping, etc.) to be sure to reach all of my students. I will vary my delivery using clear direction and express the students’ goals so that they are all aware of what they must accomplish by this lesson. I know that I cannot accomplish any of my lofty goals without a plan. I will plan carefully and completely; yet, I will be open to changes and flexible enough to realize that those changes may be necessary to get the job done.
9/13/2006
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The purpose of education is to enable students to become successful in their lives. The purpose of a teacher is to aid each individual student in the class room to gain a greater knowledge that can be applied in everyday life situations. Teachers face an everyday struggle to mesh required content with practical everyday knowledge need. However, I feel that effective teachers are able to do this everyday. I believe that an effective teacher relates all learning to the real world and by doing so makes learning concrete and meaningful to students.
Students are not mindless individuals. Students are not just waiting to be filled with information from a teacher. They should be thought of as individuals who can contribute to the knowledge in a classroom by sharing and gaining knowledge from each other. A student’s education is not solely academic; teachers must also educate their students mentally and socially. Mentally by teaching those skills they need to solve problems and socially by giving them they skills they will need to communicate and work productively with others. Students need to be able to function in the everyday real world which requires academic knowledge as well as social skills. Education does not start and stop in the classroom. I feel teachers should not alone in the education process; they need the support of parents, families and the communities to enrich the lives of students after all they are the future.
A teacher should have the appropriate knowledge of the content area in which they will be instructing. It is unrealistic to expect a teacher to be an expert on every subject they teach, however it can be expected for a teacher to prepare appropriately in order to instruct their students adequately. Active learning is an asset in the classroom. Class discussions are a great way to embrace multiple views. Teachers should create an atmosphere that encourages discussion. If a teacher has correctly created a positive learning environment students should value their differences and feel comfortable sharing them with others without fear of criticism.
Teachers need to use different methods and approaches to reach every student. I feel that teachers who only use one method to teach should not be in the classroom. They could not possibly be reaching all of the students in their classroom. We know that not all students have the same learning style. In order for a teacher to reach visual learners, auditory learners and kinesthetic learners they must use varying methods of teaching to create a want to learn. As a teacher I plan to include technology based, hands on, learning groups and group discussions. I am not a fan of lectures, student are less likely to gain an understanding of what is being taught. In an active environment, in my opinion, students are more likely to remember the information being covered. Many school rely heavily on test, however I plan to keep them to a minimum. Tests can create an anxiety that can be negative in a classroom. I plan to evaluate my students by using several different methods, such as, direct observation, journaling, and progress portfolios. Students should feel that they are apart of their own education.. Everyday will be different within my classroom. A reflective teacher is an effective teacher! I will be open to evaluating my teaching and changing when need. I plan to intergraded technology in my classroom when ever possible. As a catalyst for educational change, I will strive to create a positive active learning environment where students want to learn and look forward to being in class.
The ideal/effective teacher is one who can adapt their classroom to the needs of every student. Every student that walks in to a classroom learns that different rates and with different methods. As a teacher, they must intergraded technology. Technology is a new and ever changing tool that can enhance the learning process, if used correctly can make the difference in a students understanding of the content. Ideal/effective teacher also needs to be aware of the diversity in the classroom. The background of each student is different. It is the job of the teacher to treat each student equal. A teacher has to be unbiased because with today’s ever changing society ethical and legal issues have begun to arise. A teacher is being forced to be aware of every word they say in fear that it could offend someone. Teachers are also facing legal issues when they hug a student or tap them on the shoulder. However, ideal/effective teacher still has the ability to show companion towards their students in other ways. Ideal/effective teacher can take what ever obstacle that may come up and turn it in to a positive change in their classroom
2/22/2004
9/13/2006
_____________________________________________________________________________
The purpose of education is to enable students to become successful in their lives. The purpose of a teacher is to aid each individual student in the class room to gain a greater knowledge that can be applied in everyday life situations. Teachers face an everyday struggle to mesh required content with practical everyday knowledge need. However, I feel that effective teachers are able to do this everyday. I believe that an effective teacher relates all learning to the real world and by doing so makes learning concrete and meaningful to students.
Students are not mindless individuals. Students are not just waiting to be filled with information from a teacher. They should be thought of as individuals who can contribute to the knowledge in a classroom by sharing and gaining knowledge from each other. A student’s education is not solely academic; teachers must also educate their students mentally and socially. Mentally by teaching those skills they need to solve problems and socially by giving them they skills they will need to communicate and work productively with others. Students need to be able to function in the everyday real world which requires academic knowledge as well as social skills. Education does not start and stop in the classroom. I feel teachers should not alone in the education process; they need the support of parents, families and the communities to enrich the lives of students after all they are the future.
A teacher should have the appropriate knowledge of the content area in which they will be instructing. It is unrealistic to expect a teacher to be an expert on every subject they teach, however it can be expected for a teacher to prepare appropriately in order to instruct their students adequately. Active learning is an asset in the classroom. Class discussions are a great way to embrace multiple views. Teachers should create an atmosphere that encourages discussion. If a teacher has correctly created a positive learning environment students should value their differences and feel comfortable sharing them with others without fear of criticism.
Teachers need to use different methods and approaches to reach every student. I feel that teachers who only use one method to teach should not be in the classroom. They could not possibly be reaching all of the students in their classroom. We know that not all students have the same learning style. In order for a teacher to reach visual learners, auditory learners and kinesthetic learners they must use varying methods of teaching to create a want to learn. As a teacher I plan to include technology based, hands on, learning groups and group discussions. I am not a fan of lectures, student are less likely to gain an understanding of what is being taught. In an active environment, in my opinion, students are more likely to remember the information being covered. Many school rely heavily on test, however I plan to keep them to a minimum. Tests can create an anxiety that can be negative in a classroom. I plan to evaluate my students by using several different methods, such as, direct observation, journaling, and progress portfolios. Students should feel that they are apart of their own education.. Everyday will be different within my classroom. A reflective teacher is an effective teacher! I will be open to evaluating my teaching and changing when need. I plan to intergraded technology in my classroom when ever possible. As a catalyst for educational change, I will strive to create a positive active learning environment where students want to learn and look forward to being in class.
The ideal/effective teacher is one who can adapt their classroom to the needs of every student. Every student that walks in to a classroom learns that different rates and with different methods. As a teacher, they must intergraded technology. Technology is a new and ever changing tool that can enhance the learning process, if used correctly can make the difference in a students understanding of the content. Ideal/effective teacher also needs to be aware of the diversity in the classroom. The background of each student is different. It is the job of the teacher to treat each student equal. A teacher has to be unbiased because with today’s ever changing society ethical and legal issues have begun to arise. A teacher is being forced to be aware of every word they say in fear that it could offend someone. Teachers are also facing legal issues when they hug a student or tap them on the shoulder. However, ideal/effective teacher still has the ability to show companion towards their students in other ways. Ideal/effective teacher can take what ever obstacle that may come up and turn it in to a positive change in their classroom
