teaching philosophy

The Student

Bandura (1997) exclaims that people’s beliefs about their abilities have a profound effect on those abilities. Abilities are not a fixed property; and there is a huge variability in how you perform. People who have a sense of self efficacy bounce back from failure; they approach things in terms of how to handle them rather than what can go wrong. This quote reflects the way I feel about the role of a student.

The role of the student consists of being an open book that is willing to be open minded, curious, and willing to receive the proper education that they need in order to be successful. Students should take on the responsibility and attitude of positive learners. Students should take responsibilities for their actions and understand the consequences and rewards for those actions. It is imperative that students believe in themselves, eliminate failure as an option and push themselves for understanding and clarity.

The role of the teacher is to be a guide as well as a co-learner. It is imperative that teachers remember that they have a set purpose which is to educate every child to the best of their ability so that students can grow into well rounded, educated individual who can be productive and respectful in society. One thing that I understand is that teachers are human and they go through situations that may effect their lived adversely. However, teachers must find the appropriate place and to deal with those issues without bringing them into the classroom. When teachers bring their personal issues into the classroom, students can sense it and it can possibly alter the way the class is taught.

The role of the teacher is also to have open communication with parents. Ormrod (2003) suggests that often, there are parents, especially those of minority and immigrant students are intimidated by school personnel and teachers have to take the initiative and establish productive parent-teacher relationships. The best way that a teacher can learn about their students is through communicating with the family. Sometimes, students experience pressure and stress that may extend from situations outside of the school however; their interactions with the other students and their work habits can suffer. I believe that instead of hasty punishment, the teacher should find out why the student is experiencing such trauma.

The Teacher

The Family

I believe that the family has the responsibility of reinforcing what is taught within the classroom at home. Learning and studying patterns should be the same in the home and the school setting. I believe that much of students’ influences come from the home. Often, those influences are reflected in the classroom in the way that they speak, learn, listen and socialize. The family can help facilitate the positive habits that will facilitate positive learning.

Parents and family member are the ones that are to provide a safe, warm and positive atmosphere where learning and exploring takes place. Then, the inquiring minds of the students produce grounds for learning within the classroom. The students have a motivation for learning

I believe that it is the family’s responsibility to support their children in any field of education that they choose to enter. Many times students are pressured into fields of education that may not be of their interests due to family traditions or the occupation of their parents.

“It takes a whole community to raise a child” (McFarland Partners in Prevention.) This is a quote that is painted near one of the high schools in my hometown. This quote stems from an old African Proverb that says “it takes a village to raise a child.” I see the community as “the village” which makes me believe wholeheartedly in this notion. The community is the place in which children gain their experiences from, both positive and negative, and it is where they gain their very own beliefs and values of the world they live in. If the community has an overall positive outlook about education and its components and supports it, the students will be involved and develop the same attitude towards education. Through the community, the students are given opportunities to learn skills and trades that are not directly taught in the schools. The students gain experiences of independence and pride.

The Community

Culture and Language

Various cultures and languages should be celebrated and not restrained within the classroom. I believe that this will allow students to be themselves. When students have a better sense of themselves, it allows for positive learning experiences. I think when teachers allow cultures and languages to be expressed in the classroom the students learn more about each other and will grow to have respect for others and their differences. Students will eventually have a depth of understanding as to why people celebrate the way and what they do.

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