My Teaching Philosophy
This is my fifth year of teaching and one of the things I have observed with surprise and relish is the number of experienced teachers who, despite the difficult and demanding realities of the teaching profession, still maintain and strive to share their love of teaching and learning, and their passion for the subjects and students they teach. It is my belief that a teacher’s passion for teaching is key in the art of juggling everyday demands while still remaining motivated and empowered, allowing them to be the best teacher they can be. This zest, and the belief in the value of teaching and learning, is something that I intend to remind myself of throughout my career in order to remember my motivations for becoming a teacher and maintain my enthusiasm. This website is a way to keep that fire burning and share my passion for teaching and technology with other like-minded educators, as well as reflect on and evaluate my practices and resources.
A love of teaching and learning and a desire to instill that love of learning in our students is the most basic motivation of most teachers, but I believe the relationship between teacher and student should be reciprocal. The teacher has a responsibility to impart knowledge, encourage participation, promote new skills, and cater for student needs, however, the student must also take responsibility for their own learning, and it is the teacher who must foster the motivation and ability within the student to do so. With our world constantly changing and evolving, cultivating the ability to think critically and independently is essential and I believe the use of different technologies in the classroom, along with other resources, assists in imparting and developing such essential skills and knowledge.
Organisation and structure within a classroom are fundamental in providing and maintaining a supportive, safe and productive environment, however the ability to be flexible and take into account the individual needs and motivations of students is essential in fostering an engaging, stimulating, and motivating classroom that caters for the diverse needs of all students. It is my belief that it is the role of the teacher to provide a variety of ways for students to access, interpret, analyse, and utilise the information and skills we teach them and I am constantly striving to gather new techniques, find or create resources, and engage in professional discussion and development with colleagues to ensure I am able to provide the best possible learning experience for each student. Knowledge, understanding, and connection with students are paramount in the ability to cater for the variety of needs and learning styles within a classroom and I consider the development of rapport with my students as the foundation of my teaching style. Keeping abreast of popular culture and new technologies is a way for me to create relationships with my students and show an interest in things that are relevant or important to them. I also have many work, study, travel, and life experiences that I draw on as a teacher to assist the way I interact with, relate to, and understand my students.
It is this philosophy of engaging and building relationships that drives my enthusiasm for using and promoting technological resources. In our digital age, using technology in the classroom not only stimulates students, it prepares them for a future where technology plays a key role. So many companies are producing innovative, practical, and engaging digital resources for teachers that we'd be foolish not to take advantage of them. Technology allows me to more easily and flexibly differentiate in my classroom in a way that conventional methods do not, and while I'm overtly teaching them the skills and knowledge of my subject area and catering to their individual needs, students are also learning a great deal of practical skills that will serve them well in the future. Of course, balance is key when it comes to technology in the classroom and I'm always conscious of not just using technology for the bells and whistles effect, but rather ensuring that it is useful and enhances student learning and engagement. Sharing and discussing these valuable resources, techniques, and experiences with colleagues and peers is also an essential component of being an effective and passionate teacher.
Nothing is more rewarding than that lightbulb moment when a child understands something, the joy you see on their faces when they master something they've been struggling with, seeing the improvement in behaviour and motivation from one term to the next, and the gratitude of parents who have watched their child blossom under your care. These are the things that motivate and encourage me as a teacher. These are the things that I strive for in my classroom and, because I'm constantly learning and developing who I am as an educator, the digital technologies featured on this site play a large role in helping me to create an engaging, diverse classroom, shaping my teaching style, and stimulating my passion for teaching.
A love of teaching and learning and a desire to instill that love of learning in our students is the most basic motivation of most teachers, but I believe the relationship between teacher and student should be reciprocal. The teacher has a responsibility to impart knowledge, encourage participation, promote new skills, and cater for student needs, however, the student must also take responsibility for their own learning, and it is the teacher who must foster the motivation and ability within the student to do so. With our world constantly changing and evolving, cultivating the ability to think critically and independently is essential and I believe the use of different technologies in the classroom, along with other resources, assists in imparting and developing such essential skills and knowledge.
Organisation and structure within a classroom are fundamental in providing and maintaining a supportive, safe and productive environment, however the ability to be flexible and take into account the individual needs and motivations of students is essential in fostering an engaging, stimulating, and motivating classroom that caters for the diverse needs of all students. It is my belief that it is the role of the teacher to provide a variety of ways for students to access, interpret, analyse, and utilise the information and skills we teach them and I am constantly striving to gather new techniques, find or create resources, and engage in professional discussion and development with colleagues to ensure I am able to provide the best possible learning experience for each student. Knowledge, understanding, and connection with students are paramount in the ability to cater for the variety of needs and learning styles within a classroom and I consider the development of rapport with my students as the foundation of my teaching style. Keeping abreast of popular culture and new technologies is a way for me to create relationships with my students and show an interest in things that are relevant or important to them. I also have many work, study, travel, and life experiences that I draw on as a teacher to assist the way I interact with, relate to, and understand my students.
It is this philosophy of engaging and building relationships that drives my enthusiasm for using and promoting technological resources. In our digital age, using technology in the classroom not only stimulates students, it prepares them for a future where technology plays a key role. So many companies are producing innovative, practical, and engaging digital resources for teachers that we'd be foolish not to take advantage of them. Technology allows me to more easily and flexibly differentiate in my classroom in a way that conventional methods do not, and while I'm overtly teaching them the skills and knowledge of my subject area and catering to their individual needs, students are also learning a great deal of practical skills that will serve them well in the future. Of course, balance is key when it comes to technology in the classroom and I'm always conscious of not just using technology for the bells and whistles effect, but rather ensuring that it is useful and enhances student learning and engagement. Sharing and discussing these valuable resources, techniques, and experiences with colleagues and peers is also an essential component of being an effective and passionate teacher.
Nothing is more rewarding than that lightbulb moment when a child understands something, the joy you see on their faces when they master something they've been struggling with, seeing the improvement in behaviour and motivation from one term to the next, and the gratitude of parents who have watched their child blossom under your care. These are the things that motivate and encourage me as a teacher. These are the things that I strive for in my classroom and, because I'm constantly learning and developing who I am as an educator, the digital technologies featured on this site play a large role in helping me to create an engaging, diverse classroom, shaping my teaching style, and stimulating my passion for teaching.
