Personal Philosophy
I remember one of my first classes of education where I needed to compare myself with what kind of teacher I wanted to become. At the time I did not know what I really wanted for my future or how I was going to approach a classroom. Although, I found out after all of my school experiences, my field practices and my interactions as a “team teacher” in a middle school or a high school that I want to become a sculptor teacher. A sculptor is found of saying that they don’t “make” their art; they uncover what is already hidden in the material. Similarly, teachers uncover the ideas emerging in the minds of their students.
As a future educator I would love to take in considerations everything that I have learned over my career and truly put it in practice in a classroom. I would like to use my main attributes as a teacher such as being knowledgeable, innovative, patient and committed to uncover my kids’ potential. I believe that if I use them on every single aspect of my professional career I will be able to provide my students the maximum of my self to discover that my students will “teach me” how much they know or they have learned in my classroom throughout the school year.
As a student and as a future professional, I have learned the importance of being prepared for my classroom. Therefore I believe that my main focus in my future would be that. I will be prepared for everything; to incorporate a number of teaching methods and approaches to accommodate a wide variety of learning styles, I will do my best to meet the goals and objectives of the course or program being taught, I will do my best to care and understand that all of my students learn in a variety of ways because there are multiple intelligences. I don’t want “smart” kids in my class; I want kids with multiple types of intelligences that will challenge me to become a better teacher. Thus, that will only happen by being prepared for a variety of educational opportunities in my life.
Additionally, I recognize the importance of working with a school climate and the school culture. Consequently, when appropriate, I will provide the emphasis to the different task given to me as a teacher in order to comply with the school needs and direction. As a future E.S.L. teacher I believe that I need to work parallel with the school ideology and my language teaching approaches. I would like to design activities that allow participants to shape content to their own ends and to co-construct meanings that are unpredictable and personal. My experience as a second language learner has helped me to understand that once I want my students to learn I need to make the process meaningful and to take into account the students’ values, relationships, experiences, and prior knowledge. Hence, I will look forward to work at a school that provides my students the ability to experience a rich educational experience as mentioned above.
I also believe it is integral that they be challenged to know how to learn and to actively participate, rather than passively learn. Thus, I would like for anyone who come to observe my classroom to see how I will implant language learning strategies into course materials and strongly encourage active participation both in class and online. As a teacher I feel it is important to convey a personal interest and enthusiasm for my students life as well. In my classrooms I will strive for an environment that houses open communication and where students are comfortable being active in their language without fear of making mistakes. This is what I ambition for my classroom to be and for others to feel when they walk into my classroom.
I hope one day as a qualified and experienced teacher, I will be well aware of my own growth and use reflective practices to monitor and improve my teaching skills. To become an effective teacher, I know that must also contribute to the field, institution, and community through research, as part of maintaining an open mind towards innovative teaching methodologies. I believe that the perfect teaching method does not exist; yet I believe that it is my duty to discover it as well as I will be discovering the potential of my future students’ mind. I will be that sculptor teacher my students need.