"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
Passion. Children learn best when they are enjoying what they are doing. As middle school students, more than likely, the students will not have figured out what they are passionate about. It is my job as their teacher to help them on the journey to discovering their passions. I will use each student’s passion in my teaching and cater to their skills as much as possible. I want each student to enjoy learning in my classroom and realize who they are and what they can do for the world during their time with me.
Individual. Each student is their own person. No one set curriculum or lesson will resonate with every single student. I hope to individualize my lessons and my teaching style to each student. I will incorporate my students’ passions and skills in my lessons so that they have the opportunity to showcase what they are good at and enjoy doing. My students will feel like they are people, not just a name on a roster.
Vision. People want to be good. People want to help others. My students will be no different. Part of my first week of school will be learning about my students’ visions for the world. I want to help them realize their visions. I hope to not just be their teacher but their mentor and guidance as well. I expect my students to have a goal for themselves to make a difference in the world in whatever way they see fit by the time they leave my classroom. Ideally, they will have set the wheels in motion to realize that vision and reach that goal during their time with me.
Learning. Naturally, school is about learning. I do not want my students to be sitting in a traditional classroom bored out of their minds. They will not be. My classroom will be a place where creativity and dreams are welcomed and discussed freely. All the while, we will be learning. We will be revolving the curriculum around the students’ dreams and visions and passions. They will be interested in the materials that we are covering. I want my students to not even realize they are learning. They will learn by doing and experiencing rather than sitting and reading.
Technology. Students today are growing up in a very technological time. Why shouldn't that technology be used in their learning as well as in their lives? My education has trained me in numerous technologies that can be used in the classroom. Technology is a teacher's best friend. I plan to have technology used in my classroom often. Many students will have access to all types of technology at home from iPhones to tablets to computers to who knows what else will come out. As a 21st century teacher, I plan to utilize my students' knowledge and experience with their technology and tie that into the curriculum that we cover.
Individual. Each student is their own person. No one set curriculum or lesson will resonate with every single student. I hope to individualize my lessons and my teaching style to each student. I will incorporate my students’ passions and skills in my lessons so that they have the opportunity to showcase what they are good at and enjoy doing. My students will feel like they are people, not just a name on a roster.
Vision. People want to be good. People want to help others. My students will be no different. Part of my first week of school will be learning about my students’ visions for the world. I want to help them realize their visions. I hope to not just be their teacher but their mentor and guidance as well. I expect my students to have a goal for themselves to make a difference in the world in whatever way they see fit by the time they leave my classroom. Ideally, they will have set the wheels in motion to realize that vision and reach that goal during their time with me.
Learning. Naturally, school is about learning. I do not want my students to be sitting in a traditional classroom bored out of their minds. They will not be. My classroom will be a place where creativity and dreams are welcomed and discussed freely. All the while, we will be learning. We will be revolving the curriculum around the students’ dreams and visions and passions. They will be interested in the materials that we are covering. I want my students to not even realize they are learning. They will learn by doing and experiencing rather than sitting and reading.
Technology. Students today are growing up in a very technological time. Why shouldn't that technology be used in their learning as well as in their lives? My education has trained me in numerous technologies that can be used in the classroom. Technology is a teacher's best friend. I plan to have technology used in my classroom often. Many students will have access to all types of technology at home from iPhones to tablets to computers to who knows what else will come out. As a 21st century teacher, I plan to utilize my students' knowledge and experience with their technology and tie that into the curriculum that we cover.