As an English Educator I believe that my role is to enable student’s personal growth, discovery, and exploration. With the changing world we live in it is no longer the educator's role to be the center of knowledge, rather it is my job to equip young people with the tools necessary to become passionate, individually intelligent , and socially awake members of society. The best way for students to achieve this is for them to explore the world they live in and their own thoughts and question regarding this world. I believe most strongly in the Progressive, most closely associated with Jon Dewey, and Social Reconstructionism theories, most closely associated with Theodore Brameld, of education. Progressivism focuses on the ideas that "education should focus on the whole child, rather than on the content or the teacher"(Cohen, 1999). I believe learning is "active, not passive" and it is through experimenting and exploring a wide range of ideas students learn the most (Cohen, 1999). I believe education is the great equalizer of our world and that every person has the right to education. It is Social Reconstructionism that emphasizes "the addressing of social questions"(Cohen, 1999). English classrooms allow the unique ability for students to be exposed to radical ideas, voices, and views. It is my job as a educator to create an environment where my students can expand. The only way this will be achieved is if I treat my students with the respect and freedom young adults deserve. I fundamentally believe children will rise to the level an English educator sets for them. It is because of this I will begin each year with the utmost respect for my students. I will demonstrate these beliefs by:
- Connecting all material, exercises, and assignments to the students “real word”
- Allowing student choice in reading materials, unit central focus, and project options.
- Creating a positive environment through supportive and genuine conversation with my students.
- Utilizing technology to expand the classroom and resources outside of the four walls of the classroom.
- Holding myself responsible to my class and adjusting and/or apologizing when it is necessary.
- Creating a safe environment within the class for students to discuss real word issues by creating a caring community within the classroom.
- Modifying and introducing a variety of instruction time and learning styles in order meet students needs.
- Establishing a mutual respect between my students and myself by acknowledging their opinions, ideas, and preferences when making unit and lesson plans.
|
"Choose to be optimistic it feels better"- Dali Lama
|