My Philosophy of Education
“We have an enormous responsibility, and an amazing opportunity”
(Educate the Heart, Koyzcan)
I’ve always known that I wanted to be a teacher. “It’s a humbling career, Sophie,” my dad, a secondary English teacher, would often remind me. “Do it because you love it, because it’s more than just a job,” he would proudly say. It is this passion that has driven me to where I am today. I believe that in order for students to be successful learners, they must find a purpose to everything they learn. As a teacher, it is my goal to help each student find their individual purpose, and guide them to their own success. As teachers, we need to teach from the heart in order to touch our students, and allow them to utilize the tools we are giving them. By creating a safe classroom that accepts and embraces diversity, we can become a community where students feel comfortable to question various ideas, and strive to learn more.
Language is a difficult subject for many students. I aspire to be a French teacher who brings the language to life. I want to push my students to understand the value of a second language, and feel empowered to continue learning it. I believe that in order for students to absorb a second language, they must practice speaking it. My classroom will be a place where they can step inside, ready to take risks, without any judgment or apprehension.
The concept of community resonates with me on many levels. I make sure that I create a dynamic and comfortable environment where every student feels at ease. Everyone makes mistakes when they learn a new language, but nobody in my classroom is ever ashamed or embarrassed to do so. I am able to accomplish this by creating a strong community of learners, as well as sharing my own experiences of learning a second language. By using a variety of mediums to appeal to the kinesthetic, visual, and auditory students, my lessons offer the possibility for every type of learner to succeed.
I also make sure that parents play an active role in the learning of the students. My teacher’s website ensures that both parents and students have access to my courses, resources, and contact information, no matter where they are. I think it is important to hold my students accountable for their actions and involvement in my classroom, and I think it is equally important to include the parents or guardians in this process. Whether or not parents or guardians are actively involved in their child’s academic career, I believe that transparency in my classroom is very important. If something occurs in my class that I believe deserves parental/guardian knowledge, I always take immediate action. Not only does this hold the students and myself accountable for our actions, but it also creates a stronger connection between the parents, students and myself.
In order for my students to succeed as learners, I think it’s important that they have a clear understanding of what I expect from them. Throughout my teaching, I ensure that my students know and understand the learning outcomes for each lesson. This helps direct their learning in the right direction by giving them a purpose for their learning, and also allows me to see which students may need adaptations. I’ve had both students and teachers share with me how much they appreciate having a clear outline of where their learning is taking them.
Upon reflecting on Damian Cooper’s “Talk About Assessment”, I have learned to appreciate the many diverse methods of assessing students fairly. In order for my students to connect with my students on a personal level, I believe that formative assessment is necessary. Students learning a second language should be encouraged to speak out loud and take risks as much as possible, without the threat of losing marks for being incorrect. By formatively assessing my students, and building a stronger relationship, I have the ability to adapt or modify my lessons based on each individual learner. I also believe that there must be a balance between formative and summative assessment. I think that reflection is an extremely important element to learning, and include this in every one of my classes. This allows me to see the development of my students’ thoughts throughout the class. I also think it is critical that my tests reflect exactly what I have previously taught. I ensure that every student is prepared for any form of summative assessment, without feeling overwhelmed or stressed. The majority of students do not perform well under those circumstances.
My aspiration as a teacher is to guide my students, and give them a purpose to their learning. I believe that giving them these skills will serve them in many facets of their lives. A strong community, along with enthusiasm, passion and clear expectations, is going to allow my students to thrive as learners. My hope is that my students feel empowered with the tools I have given them, and feel inspired to pursue their journey of learning a second language. My emphasis on formative assessment promotes learning, and encourages students to engage in constant growth. My classroom promotes proactive students, who support themselves, and each other in their learning. My students feel comfortable in their environment, and thrive to critically analyze and question the world around them. In return, this will broaden their knowledge of the world, and the importance of communication. I also believe that my practice of teaching does not just take place in the classroom. I will continue to be a lifelong learner, and pursue my own passions in life. If my students can look up to me as more than just a teacher, I know that my job has been done, and that I have educated the mind, the body and the heart.