Teaching Philosophy
I think that
providing a comfortable environment for students, where they can feel free to
share their opinions and not be judged is crucial to a student’s learning.
It is important for the students to feel that their opinions matter and
sense an inviting atmosphere for sharing. Not
only is this a benefit to the student, but to the entire class; hearing the
opinions and ideas of others helps us learn from one another and become more
aware and understanding of differing views.
University Studies stresses the importance of community and diversity,
hence formulating a class where everyone respects and converses with one another
is a true indication of community and the acceptance of differences and
diversity. I hope to provide students with an environment where they feel
they can easily ask others or me questions and comfortably express their ideas.
As a mentor next year, I must also be aware of the different learning styles
within the group. Some students may
be visual learners whereas others more verbal learners; therefore, I must
address the many different types of learning styles in the group in order to
succeed as a mentor and truly be of help to the students.
Thus, my goal is to supply the students with tools and information they
need to be successful in the class, but to do it in a way that will be effective
for each individual.
Lastly, I look forward to encouraging and inspiring the students.
I think each person has potential, but it is what that individual is
willing to do with that potential that will determine his or her success.
Sometimes people need others to encourage them and point out to them
their potential in order for them to realize that they can do well and succeed
in life.
Overall, I believe learning is when we begin to question our way of thinking and start to gather information from many different sources in order to formulate our individual thoughts. To me change is good, and it is important to the learning process. If we do not hear the opinion on an issue from another person, well then we have not challenged our beliefs. Although hearing another individual’s thoughts on an issue might not drive us to reconsider our own, it at least helped us understand the other side. At other times we might be ignorant to the opposing defense, but soon we learn of their side we begin to research deeper and find that it might better suit us. Therefore, creating a comfortable atmosphere where people can share their beliefs, encouraging and inspiring them that they can immensely contribute to the growth and learning of the group, and to have the ability to reach each and every one of them effectively will help me provide a healthy learning environment.