Teaching Philosophy
The goal of education is to produce good citizens that are capable of thinking for oneself, can provide services that could benefit others and create a brighter future. It seems as though the goal of the current educational system is to train students to become great test takers rather than knowledgeable individuals that are prepared to function in the real world after school. Once students transition into the next phase of life whether it be college, army, trade school or a full time job they often lack skills such as completing paperwork, networking and working as a productive team member. An important key to achieving this is producing proficient readers. In the course RED 4312, we read an article that was entitled, "The Crayola Curriculum", which shed light on the lack of effective reading instruction that results in children not being able to understand what they are reading. This article shed light on the reality of the lack of reading skills that students possess and the role that the educational system plays in that matter. Students who are not taught reading strategies explicitly can be delayed throughout the remainder of their years in school and could result in them struggling when they are out of the classroom because they are not able to fill out applications, read directions or communicate in written form or verbally. The three most important things that I would want students to learn in my class to be accountable for their actions, lending a hand to those that are in need, and acquiring skills that will enable them to work in diverse environments.
I believe that students learn best when the lessons include subjects that are applicable to their lives and are interesting. It is best to relate the material to things that will actually motivate them to pay attention such as creating the lesson with a focus on sports that some of the students may play or pets if the majority of the class has one. I also believe that a student learns best when a teacher caters a lesson to their learning style. A class could possess a variety of different learning styles such as visual learners, auditory learners, and tactile learners. Although it may be difficult to accommodate each of them within each lesson, at least one or two should be taken into consideration. Every student cannot grasp the content of a lesson by listening the teacher talk for a period of time. Some students may need to see physical demonstrations or have the opportunity to do hands-on activities to master a concept. At the end of a lesson I think a sign of understanding is when students are able to explain what they learned in great detail using their own words rather than reading from a text or what was written on the board. I aspire for the curriculum to be stimulating and challenging. I do not want students to leave my classroom feeling as though they did not learning anything after sitting in school for hours.
Classroom Management
Being granted the opportunity to intern in a first grade classroom helped me realize that I relate closely to assertive discipline, a philosophical approach to management developed by Lee and Marlene Canter. Without a doubt, teachers should be in charge of their classrooms and establish the rules and expectations so students will know what is acceptable and what is not. Students should definitely feel free to communicate with the teacher and express themselves but it is imperative that they understand that the teacher is the authority figure. It is important that they are disciplined when they display undesirable behavior and are provided with positive feedback when they are doing their jobs as students. I recall all of my teachers, from elementary to high school, conducting their classes in this manner. Rules and expectations were not up for discussion and if you did not abide by the rules, there were consequences. I viewed their approach to classroom management very effective and valuable because as students we knew that we were there to handle business and not slack. As a future educator, I aspire for my students to be self-disciplined and responsible for their actions as well as becoming conscious of their capabilities. Students need to be aware that there will be rules and expectations set upon them once they leave the classroom; school will not be the first or the last place. My goal as a teacher is to help my students become self-sufficient individuals who are able to conduct themselves accordingly and do what is right.
The reading material and actually being in a learning environment with young boys and girls has made me realize that an assertive approach is not the only way to successfully manage a classroom. Cooperative discipline will also be apart of my classroom management plan so students will understand that I have their best interest at heart and only want the best for them. It is important that they understand that we can create a nurturing, positive and enriching environment together. Linda Albert wants teachers to understand that students decide how they want to behave and it is our job to guide and shape that choice. Students will be wiling to participate during class and follow the rules when they feel as though they actually matter. I would like my students to know that I value their opinions, individuality and presence every single day. She provides us with five steps that I think would very beneficial: (1) identify student’s behavior. (2) Handle the misbehavior immediately. (3) Provides encouragement. (4) Making partners. (5) Spend time outside of the classroom with students (Albert, 2006).
Professional Goals
My ultimate goal in life is to be an advocate for adolescents, especially those that are faced with hardships daily. My dream profession is to be an influential individual in the school system, devoting my time and effort to guide students to success and prosperity and utilizing every resource for the benefits of children. However this could not be accomplished without a college education. The next generation deserves an adult who genuinely cares and posses the will to lead them on a passage to prosperity and success. I aspire to guide adolescents whom are faced with adversities day in and day out; exposing them to different things and instilling the importance of education into their minds so that they may develop the skills and execute their capabilities to the best of their abilities to emerge as future leaders despite their status in society. After a few years of teaching in a high school environment, I plan to work my way up the ladder to hold a position as a principal and ultimately a superintendent. Once I settle into my career, I desire to establish a youth center in my community where adolescents can train in fine arts such as singing, instruments, dance oratorical speaking and art. The youth center would also monthly workshops that focus on a variety of topics that are vital to the lives and future of children.
Teaching Style
The classroom should be a place where students are comfortable, encouraged and free to learn from their peers as well as the teacher. The teaching style that I think would be most effective in my classroom would be a student-centered approach, which changes the focus from the teacher to the students. I want students to recognize that I am not their sole source of information. It is critical for them to develop independence and explore other options before asking me for assistance. This will not be an excuse for me to not fulfill my duties as an educator but for them to gain a sense of accountability. My responsibility is to be a guide in the classroom and help them realize the steps they can take to solve problems, master a strategy or answer a specific question. Simply providing students with information and moving on to the next unit without tine to reflect, apply and discuss is not effective in my opinion.
Reference
Albert, L. (1996). Cooperative discipline. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.
Levin, J., & Nolan, J. F. (2013). Principles of classroom management: A professional decision-making model. New York, NY: Pearson.
Schmoker, M. (2001, October 24). The 'Crayola Curriculum' Retrieved from http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2001/10/24/08schmoker.h21.html
The goal of education is to produce good citizens that are capable of thinking for oneself, can provide services that could benefit others and create a brighter future. It seems as though the goal of the current educational system is to train students to become great test takers rather than knowledgeable individuals that are prepared to function in the real world after school. Once students transition into the next phase of life whether it be college, army, trade school or a full time job they often lack skills such as completing paperwork, networking and working as a productive team member. An important key to achieving this is producing proficient readers. In the course RED 4312, we read an article that was entitled, "The Crayola Curriculum", which shed light on the lack of effective reading instruction that results in children not being able to understand what they are reading. This article shed light on the reality of the lack of reading skills that students possess and the role that the educational system plays in that matter. Students who are not taught reading strategies explicitly can be delayed throughout the remainder of their years in school and could result in them struggling when they are out of the classroom because they are not able to fill out applications, read directions or communicate in written form or verbally. The three most important things that I would want students to learn in my class to be accountable for their actions, lending a hand to those that are in need, and acquiring skills that will enable them to work in diverse environments.
I believe that students learn best when the lessons include subjects that are applicable to their lives and are interesting. It is best to relate the material to things that will actually motivate them to pay attention such as creating the lesson with a focus on sports that some of the students may play or pets if the majority of the class has one. I also believe that a student learns best when a teacher caters a lesson to their learning style. A class could possess a variety of different learning styles such as visual learners, auditory learners, and tactile learners. Although it may be difficult to accommodate each of them within each lesson, at least one or two should be taken into consideration. Every student cannot grasp the content of a lesson by listening the teacher talk for a period of time. Some students may need to see physical demonstrations or have the opportunity to do hands-on activities to master a concept. At the end of a lesson I think a sign of understanding is when students are able to explain what they learned in great detail using their own words rather than reading from a text or what was written on the board. I aspire for the curriculum to be stimulating and challenging. I do not want students to leave my classroom feeling as though they did not learning anything after sitting in school for hours.
Classroom Management
Being granted the opportunity to intern in a first grade classroom helped me realize that I relate closely to assertive discipline, a philosophical approach to management developed by Lee and Marlene Canter. Without a doubt, teachers should be in charge of their classrooms and establish the rules and expectations so students will know what is acceptable and what is not. Students should definitely feel free to communicate with the teacher and express themselves but it is imperative that they understand that the teacher is the authority figure. It is important that they are disciplined when they display undesirable behavior and are provided with positive feedback when they are doing their jobs as students. I recall all of my teachers, from elementary to high school, conducting their classes in this manner. Rules and expectations were not up for discussion and if you did not abide by the rules, there were consequences. I viewed their approach to classroom management very effective and valuable because as students we knew that we were there to handle business and not slack. As a future educator, I aspire for my students to be self-disciplined and responsible for their actions as well as becoming conscious of their capabilities. Students need to be aware that there will be rules and expectations set upon them once they leave the classroom; school will not be the first or the last place. My goal as a teacher is to help my students become self-sufficient individuals who are able to conduct themselves accordingly and do what is right.
The reading material and actually being in a learning environment with young boys and girls has made me realize that an assertive approach is not the only way to successfully manage a classroom. Cooperative discipline will also be apart of my classroom management plan so students will understand that I have their best interest at heart and only want the best for them. It is important that they understand that we can create a nurturing, positive and enriching environment together. Linda Albert wants teachers to understand that students decide how they want to behave and it is our job to guide and shape that choice. Students will be wiling to participate during class and follow the rules when they feel as though they actually matter. I would like my students to know that I value their opinions, individuality and presence every single day. She provides us with five steps that I think would very beneficial: (1) identify student’s behavior. (2) Handle the misbehavior immediately. (3) Provides encouragement. (4) Making partners. (5) Spend time outside of the classroom with students (Albert, 2006).
Professional Goals
My ultimate goal in life is to be an advocate for adolescents, especially those that are faced with hardships daily. My dream profession is to be an influential individual in the school system, devoting my time and effort to guide students to success and prosperity and utilizing every resource for the benefits of children. However this could not be accomplished without a college education. The next generation deserves an adult who genuinely cares and posses the will to lead them on a passage to prosperity and success. I aspire to guide adolescents whom are faced with adversities day in and day out; exposing them to different things and instilling the importance of education into their minds so that they may develop the skills and execute their capabilities to the best of their abilities to emerge as future leaders despite their status in society. After a few years of teaching in a high school environment, I plan to work my way up the ladder to hold a position as a principal and ultimately a superintendent. Once I settle into my career, I desire to establish a youth center in my community where adolescents can train in fine arts such as singing, instruments, dance oratorical speaking and art. The youth center would also monthly workshops that focus on a variety of topics that are vital to the lives and future of children.
Teaching Style
The classroom should be a place where students are comfortable, encouraged and free to learn from their peers as well as the teacher. The teaching style that I think would be most effective in my classroom would be a student-centered approach, which changes the focus from the teacher to the students. I want students to recognize that I am not their sole source of information. It is critical for them to develop independence and explore other options before asking me for assistance. This will not be an excuse for me to not fulfill my duties as an educator but for them to gain a sense of accountability. My responsibility is to be a guide in the classroom and help them realize the steps they can take to solve problems, master a strategy or answer a specific question. Simply providing students with information and moving on to the next unit without tine to reflect, apply and discuss is not effective in my opinion.
Reference
Albert, L. (1996). Cooperative discipline. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.
Levin, J., & Nolan, J. F. (2013). Principles of classroom management: A professional decision-making model. New York, NY: Pearson.
Schmoker, M. (2001, October 24). The 'Crayola Curriculum' Retrieved from http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2001/10/24/08schmoker.h21.html