Teaching Philosophy
As I begin my teaching journey, I acknowledge the importance of gathering information from peers and colleagues to create a positive and enriching classroom atmosphere. Educators are tasked with continuously learning and adapting to fit the needs of their students and government regulations. Although, I will be leaning on various resources and mentors for support there are a few key philosophies that make up who I am and what I believe will lead to an environment that fosters learning and growing. My goal is to champion a healthy lifestyle while preparing my students for real world scenarios.
- Learning should be student-centered: My guiding principle is that the student should be at the center of learning. This means that teaching should be adapted to the individual needs and interests of the student. It is important to recognize that every student is unique, and has their own way of learning, and teachers should strive to create a learning environment that supports this.
- Emphasize inquiry-based learning: Inquiry-based learning is a core principle of the IB philosophy, and is an approach that I also support. It is important to encourage students to ask questions, seek answers, and make connections between what they are learning and the world around them. Inquiry-based learning develops critical thinking skills and helps students become lifelong learners.
- Foster global-mindedness: The IB encourages students to develop an understanding and appreciation of different cultures, languages, and perspectives. I believe that it is important for students to develop empathy towards others, and to develop a sense of global citizenship. By creating opportunities for students to learn about different cultures and perspectives, teachers can foster a more inclusive and tolerant learning environment.
- Promote reflection: Reflection is an important aspect of the IB philosophy, and I believe that it is a powerful tool for learning. Encouraging students to reflect on their own learning and personal growth can help them become more self-aware and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their own learning process.
- Emphasize assessment for learning: Assessment should be viewed as an opportunity for learning, rather than just a means of evaluating students’ knowledge and skills. Assessment should provide feedback that is constructive and actionable, and help students identify areas for improvement. By focusing on assessment for learning, teachers can create a more supportive and effective learning environment.
Be Patient – I believe in having the willingness to adjust on the fly and provide students with all the necessary resources and tools to succeed no matter what. This means that I will take the time to utilize various teaching and learning strategies to fit the needs of my students. Understanding that each group of students learns in their own unique way is paramount to ensuring overall success (“Patience is a trait every teacher should possess,” 2017). This also means that I will create an environment where students can be themselves and not be afraid to make mistakes.
Be Enthusiastic – I believe that by making lessons interesting and conducting myself in a passionate manner that this will radiate to my students and inspire them to learn (“Why teachers need enthusiasm,” 2019). Making lectures multi-dimensional and sharing experiences and exaggerating words will peak students interests and keep them engaged.
Be Compassionate – I believe that in today’s world being caring and understanding towards our students is crucial. As teachers we are role models and the way we act and lead our lives has an impact on our students. Therefore, teaching with a sense of community, global mindedness and respect for others can go a long way in shaping the next generation of society (Nucaro, 2018).
Overall, my guiding principles align with the IB philosophy, and I believe that they can help teachers create a learning environment that is inclusive, supportive, and effective for all students.