My Story
Teaching has always been a passion in not only my life, but my family. I come from a stock of teachers, principals, educators, and mentors. From as far back as I can remember it has been instilled in me to make an impact in the lives of those around me, especially students in many different educational arenas. In my experience I have learned more about my own personal style in both what I believe to be a the style of a highly qualified teacher, but also portions of my teaching that need to be developed. In this examination I will detail where in my own personal teaching abilities that I believe I excel, but also describe how I can improve on my growth areas that I have pinpointed over my career.
I believe that teaching takes more than just understanding the material you teach. Anyone can know mathematical concepts, however it takes more than just that to be able to instill those concepts in the minds of students. One of the major things that I have developed over the course of my teaching career is developing relationships with students and knowing how they need to be taught. While one student may thrive in a lecture, another may not be able to understand the concept. Maybe that student needs to be taught using manipulatives. Maybe they need to work with their peers to bounce ideas off before the concept really lodges itself in their mind.
Another area that I believe that I have been able to develop well is collaborating with my educational partners. I know my limitations and I know where I need extra assistance. This for me helps me to be able to connect with my peers, and master teachers, who can guide me in my own classroom instruction. Team teaching has been an area that I have latched on to over my career and I believe that an effective team in teaching can provide a wide range on instructional activities and ideas that will allow students to access information utilizing different intelligences inside the classroom.
Within my instruction I know that I am not perfect, and that I am always learning. In that I know that I struggle with creating a classroom that is welcoming. This is in the sense of how my classroom is visually appealing and warm. I have never been able to decorate my room, or utilize the space as well as I believe I could. I have been working on this over the last few years as well, with help from many individuals and resources online. I know that a classroom atmosphere helps dictate how the lessons go, and how students feel in the space. However, it has never been something I have been good at. This area needs development in my mind, and I am sure others would say the same.
Similarly to that in my classroom I also struggle with displaying student work. As a math teacher, it has been difficult for me to display student work in the class. I do my best to celebrate student effort and praise in the moment, but I struggle with coming up with project ideas that could be utilized to show student achievement in the classroom. Again, I have been doing my best to reach out to my team, peers, and online resources to find materials that will allow for students to know that their effort is noticed, and that they are valued for their academic achievements in my classroom, however I do recognize that this is an area that needs improvement in my space.
My teaching journey started from my childhood. Watching my parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles be involved in teaching, coaching, and mentoring all my life sparked a fire in me that wanted to continue being someone who gets to instill education and life in to all peoples. I am not a perfect teacher, but what I am is someone who will learn from his students and take the time to adjust my instruction so that the needs of every student are met.
I believe that teaching takes more than just understanding the material you teach. Anyone can know mathematical concepts, however it takes more than just that to be able to instill those concepts in the minds of students. One of the major things that I have developed over the course of my teaching career is developing relationships with students and knowing how they need to be taught. While one student may thrive in a lecture, another may not be able to understand the concept. Maybe that student needs to be taught using manipulatives. Maybe they need to work with their peers to bounce ideas off before the concept really lodges itself in their mind.
Another area that I believe that I have been able to develop well is collaborating with my educational partners. I know my limitations and I know where I need extra assistance. This for me helps me to be able to connect with my peers, and master teachers, who can guide me in my own classroom instruction. Team teaching has been an area that I have latched on to over my career and I believe that an effective team in teaching can provide a wide range on instructional activities and ideas that will allow students to access information utilizing different intelligences inside the classroom.
Within my instruction I know that I am not perfect, and that I am always learning. In that I know that I struggle with creating a classroom that is welcoming. This is in the sense of how my classroom is visually appealing and warm. I have never been able to decorate my room, or utilize the space as well as I believe I could. I have been working on this over the last few years as well, with help from many individuals and resources online. I know that a classroom atmosphere helps dictate how the lessons go, and how students feel in the space. However, it has never been something I have been good at. This area needs development in my mind, and I am sure others would say the same.
Similarly to that in my classroom I also struggle with displaying student work. As a math teacher, it has been difficult for me to display student work in the class. I do my best to celebrate student effort and praise in the moment, but I struggle with coming up with project ideas that could be utilized to show student achievement in the classroom. Again, I have been doing my best to reach out to my team, peers, and online resources to find materials that will allow for students to know that their effort is noticed, and that they are valued for their academic achievements in my classroom, however I do recognize that this is an area that needs improvement in my space.
My teaching journey started from my childhood. Watching my parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles be involved in teaching, coaching, and mentoring all my life sparked a fire in me that wanted to continue being someone who gets to instill education and life in to all peoples. I am not a perfect teacher, but what I am is someone who will learn from his students and take the time to adjust my instruction so that the needs of every student are met.