philosophy

Philosophy Statement

There are three general categories that are present within my teaching philosophy. These categories are classroom atmosphere, student-teacher interactions, and teaching techniques. All three of these areas have a large impact on the type of teacher I want to become. Classroom atmosphere, student-teacher interactions, and teaching techniques are intertwined significantly and therefore, can be discussed separately, but are reliant upon each other.

Classroom atmosphere involves all aspects of the environment within the physical classroom. The layout of the room, the arrangement of desks, equipment, and the decoration of the walls all play a significant role in initial comfort of the students. Posters on the wall should be educational, but get students interested in the subject they are learning, but should be positioned so they are not a distraction during class. The seating should allow all students visibility of the front of the room, but should suggest that group work is stressed. Laboratory equipment should have designated locations out of the way, but easily accessible for the students. The physical space within the classroom should convey the type of atmosphere I wish to have in my classroom.

The second part of the classroom atmosphere is the interaction between students and the teacher, as well as student to student interactions. Students should feel comfortable asking questions and making constructive comments throughout the class. They should also feel comfortable that they will not be mocked or made fun of because of something they said. There should not be a fear of the teacher or students in the class. The teacher has an important role in this. I feel that a teacher should have control over the discussion within the classroom. The teacher also needs to make rules and enforce them. This control makes sure that students do not act out as frequently due to misunderstanding. Students should be encouraged to ask classmates questions and work as groups. All of these aspects will make the classroom a safe and friendly environment for the students. It will make them comfortable and should make teaching the class much easier for the teacher as well.

Although some student-teacher interactions have a major effect on classroom atmosphere, there are several other interactions that are not as pertinent to the class as a whole. Teachers have a working relationship with all of their students. Students should feel that they can ask their teacher for help with academics and extracurricular activities. As a teacher, I would like to be involved in the extracurricular activities that the school offers. I feel that this makes relating to my students easier. Along with extracurriculars, I want my students to be able to approach me if they need help due to family issues or other outside issues and trust that I will maintain confidentiality to the limit that is necessary. Although many issues are out of a teacher’s limit, I should be able to help the student find other people who are able to help. Although I want my students to be able to confide in me, there is a limit to the relationship that I have with my students. I feel that it is important that I not get too close to my students, there is a respect that students must maintain for a teacher and this respect is not present if I become friends with my students.

Teaching techniques involves how the material should be conveyed. I feel that students should be active participants in their learning. Science especially, involves hands-on activities to thoroughly understand the material. As a teacher, I need to set goals forth for both myself and my classes. This helps to maintain focus during teaching and keeps me from getting side-tracked by a certain topic of interest. As a teacher I must be filled with excitement and interest in the subject that I am teaching. If I do not convey any excitement the students will not become interested in the topic either. By getting the students interested, they become inquisitive and begin how to learn on their own with very little outside motivation required. I feel that when a teacher can get students interested in learning on their own that the teacher has affected the student in a positive manner. The skill of learning because of curiosity will help students for the rest of their lives. I feel that by allowing students to actively participate in their own learning, I have successfully taught the student. These teaching techniques combined with student-teacher interactions, and classroom atmosphere to create a well-rounded and effective teacher.