This essay contemplates my individual development, skill acquisition and exploration of teaching approaches; throughout and beyond the International Teacher Training Organisation (ITTO) program. The problems I encountered will be discussed; and their relation to establishing where my wealth of primary teaching experience aligns with English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teaching approaches. For example; efforts to reduce my teacher talk time compared to primary school education was important, correcting pronunciation in an appropriate manner and correctly pacing both my speech and activities were areas of development that were observed, reflected on personally and subsequently acted upon.
What is a good teacher? Humans are social animals who need to feel connected with the teacher; to enable an open and honest atmosphere to question misunderstandings and exchange knowledge. A good teacher realises the importance of forming authentic relationships by expressing their true self with their students. Hence, a good teacher demonstrates compassion, builds rapport and shows empathy towards the challenges present within learning; by allowing students to see teachers as fallible and therefore learners as well. A philosophy stated by Gertrude Moskowitz that, ‘…good rapport (sympathetic relationships) with learners is the basis for effective EFL learning…’1 This philosophy on being a good teacher is encapsulated in the following saying, also my firm belief, that I share with
Outstanding teachers posses the following skills and or attributes: The ability to adapt to any changes that may occur, The cognitive skills to think quickly and logically, The virtue of patience to handle the repeating of information for those students who may not catch on quickly and finally The passion of teaching others to be better learners and the ability to listen and analyze the emotional, physical, and mental state of the students . Truly good educators remember that the image they exude is the example that is set forth for their students. A teacher provides high expectations for the students as well as his or her self to creates a positive atmosphere.
In my personal opinion, I believe that there could be many skills and attributes that could be redeemed necessary in order for a person to be considered an outstanding teacher. Like for instance an outstanding teacher would be known for portraying diverse qualities like passion, leadership, classroom management and content knowledge. A teacher has many roles throughout the school day, therefore requires various qualities that would redeem them as an outstanding educator. Throughout the school day, outstanding teachers are known for being able to accommodate the academic, social, and emotional needs of all of their students.
A focus on relationships. This includes relationships with students, relationships with parents, relationships with other teachers, relationships between students, relationships between content areas, and so on. Building excellent relationships with other individuals, especially students, is vital to being an excellent teacher, no matter the grade level or content area.
I believe in order to be considered an outstanding teacher, you need to have diverse set of skills and abilities. An outstanding teacher needs to have many different qualities, because a teacher not only teaches, but serves as a role-model, mentor, and supporter. Teachers instill the love of learning in their students. Teachers need to be enthusiastic, patient, understanding, and organized. An outstanding teacher also needs to be able to work well with other, such as co-workers and administrators. Outstanding teachers need to be able to self-reflect in order to continue developing. They need to consistently develop new teaching strategies and techniques. They need to keep students engaged and enthusiastic about the subject they are teaching.
I’m always caring and empathetic. I’m caring in that I always try to teach my students with kindness in mind. I’m also kind in the way Geneva Gay describes kindness. I’m kind in that I “care so much” (Rychly and Graves, Pg 45, 2012) that I want my students to succeed. I hold my students to a high expectation (Rychy and Graves, 2012). I don’t believe in good learners or bad learners. I know all my students can learn and succeed. So,I expect all my students to meet the learning objectives and milestones. I don’t except excuses for failure. However, I am empathetic in that I can put myself in my student’s shoes and understand what they are going through (Rychly and Graves, 2012). I understand that my students may expect hardships. I try to work with those hardships and challenges. I know that each student has unique experiences that affect their learning. Thus, I empower my
Within the classroom it is important to set a rapport with the students by acting professionally and regulating our emotions in a way that will facilitate a positive classroom atmosphere. By setting classroom limits firmly, with respect and consistency, it allows us to accept the inevitable ambiguity and uncertainty that arises from allowing students to figure out the problem on their own. Through empathy and sensitivity towards the students, it will serve to strengthen teacher-student relationships, as well as the classroom climate and management (Pianta, La Paro, Payne, Cox, & Bradley, 2002 as cited in Jennings & Greenberg, 2009).
In the past nine weeks, I have had the opportunity to work with and learn from my mentor teacher (MT) Mike Hryciuk. Within the first few days of arriving in Mr. Hryciuk's classroom, his sympathetic and warm pedagogical approach to teaching captivated my attention as a student teacher. Immediately, I wanted to emulate his compassionate approach, which is one of mutual respect, second chances, and in particular empathy. Theoretically, this style of teaching has been a part of my writing throughout my degree and granted I did experience aspects of this approach in during the introductory field experience (IFX); still, my time with Mr. Hryciuk has shown me firsthand how to be effective teacher while still maintaining an empathetic climate. Moreover, by virtue of the way in which Mr. Hryciuk managed me as a student, I learned about collegial rapport while concurrently discovering strategies for creating a diplomatic and caring teacher-student relationship.
A passion for teaching and a love of kids are essential attributes for being a great teacher. Outstanding teachers have an engaging teaching style and a passion for the subject matter. Children deserve to have a teacher who genuinely enjoys the time spent in the classroom and strives to inspire them in their formative years. Great teachers are positive role models who build trusting relationships with their students and can instill an interest in learning, self-improvement and intellectual development. A good work ethic and a desire to strive for excellence is critical to be successful.
Quality relationships between students and teachers are foundational to an effective learning environment. David Hansen, author to “The Importance of the Person in the Role of Teacher” shares his observations of three teachers that have established good relationships with their students. The relationship between these teachers and their students is strong and genuine, so that these teachers have a positive influence in their students’ lives. That is the essential question that Hansen seeks to provide the answer. The question being “how can teachers have a positive influence on their students’ behavior and learning?” Hansen’s answer to the question is to have a person committed
Teachers are important because they educate the students by preparing them for a triumphant future. The number of human beings in the world is increasing every second of every day which is why it is not a surprise that teachers other than special education teachers hold about three point five million jobs (McKay, Dawn R.). As each child grows older, he/she needs to learn in order to survive; teachers are the ones to instill knowledge (DeRoy). Every single person needs an education. To start most careers, a college degree is required. In order to get that college degree, an individual must complete grade school and high school and receive a high school diploma or GED, then complete college courses to learn the
As new teachers leave the world of the University for the world of teaching, they often do not fully understand what is expected of them. The roles and responsibilities of a teacher can be vague and hard to understand when a new teacher is unwilling to ask questions of a mentor teacher, or the mentor teacher is unwilling to aid the new student. As Cathrine Le Maistre states in her paper, titled “Mentoring Neophyte Teachers: Lessons Learned from Experience” there is a much higher level of attrition after the first year of teaching than in any other year (2000). She believes that new teachers should be taught how to use their own minds, and not simply be given “manila folder of notes” (La Maistre, 2000. p. 84) and be expected to follow
One of the most essential exercises when in comes to professional development as an instructor is to continuously reflect on your perspective, methodology, instruction and behavior within your profession. Doing so ensure that you a growing and improving on teaching skills and building on old strengths to benefit you as an instructor but especially the students that you serve.
In my opinion, a good teacher should be one who puts her heart into teaching. This is because only by doing so will the students feel their passion and hard work. When a teacher strives hard for the students, students will put in their effort as well. If a teacher dislikes her job, goes to classes in a bad mood, her teaching would also be affected and students would not be able to enjoy lessons as well.
A philosophy of mathematics should be included in an excellent philosophy of education. A philosophy of mathematics should include your thoughts and ideas about what mathematics education is, what impact it has on society, the qualities that make a good teacher, a teacher’s role, research on the standards and instructional strategies, and ways to ensure student are able to learn mathematic concepts in your classroom. Each of these ideas should forever be evolving because we grow as teachers our thought and ideas will grow. I will be discussing my thoughts and ideas on what creates an excellent philosophy of mathematics.
Empathy is the third quality. A teacher must have the ability to bond with the students, to understand and resonate with their feelings and emotions. He/she need to put his/herself in students’ situation to understand and solve students’ problem. A good teacher must know that the aggression, negative attitudes that he/she can see in some students have a root cause. He/she know that they are really scared young people who have come through some bed experiences in life. This will keep a teacher calm and have control. If a teacher can do this, he/she will gain more than love from his/her students.