I have always wanted to be a teacher. For as long as I can remember that is what I wanted to do. It was one of those resolves that you are not sure how it entered your consciousness but it is just there. My philosophy as a teacher is based on the following concepts:
Passion: I believe that a teacher is someone who is passionate about a topic and equally passionate about communicating that topic to others.
Communication: Effective teaching not only involves being passionate about a subject, but being able to convey it to students in such a way that they will understand it, and apply it to their lives.
Caring: A teacher must care for the students, first as people and then as learners. He must also care for the subject and for the entire learning process.
Individuality: Teachers should realize individuality in their students. Every student has a life, a story, thoughts, and feelings that they bring with them to the classroom and the learning process.
Questioning: All too often, students regard teachers and the textbook as the final authority on any subject. I believe students should be allowed and encouraged to question what the book says. The Roman orator, Cicero once said, “The authority of the teacher is the greatest obstacle to learning.”
Real World: I try, in my teaching to bring in current events whenever possible so that students may link what they learn in class with the world around them. The truth is that many times we do courses and subjects that we have problems attaching to our reality. ICT for Reading has been one of the most relevant courses that I have done it is truly grounded in reality.
Roland I love that quote. Let me see if I got it right.
ReplyDelete“The authority of the teacher is the greatest obstacle to learning”
Did I get it right? Anyway this is so true. This quote underpins the main role of a teacher- one who facilitates learning, not demands it.
We become an obstacle when we believe or are viewed as the font of all wisdom and knowledge. However constructivists have espoused the need for student-centred learning where the teacher is no longer the sage on the stage but the guide at the side.
So many students are short-changed in the teaching learning process when they have teachers who are lazy, archaic and cannot think outside of the box. Do we want to produce robots that are programmed to do it our way and no other (mindless replicas of ourselves)?
And we complain when students cannot work independently. Humph!!
Also, let’s look at what is happening today in this techno-centric era where some teachers are intimidated by technology and inexperienced its use while their students are out there communicating and collaborating using the technological tools that are available to them. Clearly most of us are not the authority in this instance and so we have to be educated or rather upgraded and be open minded enough to the allow the students to teach us as well. Learning occurs best in a cooperative medium where knowledge is shared rather than imparted.
Come on folks, don’t be the rock in the middle of the learning path, you just might be steamrolled.
To teach is a privilege and many people don't seem to realize this.The responsibility to shape and mold young lives makes a teacher partly responsible for how society is shaped and the survival of the culture and soul of a nation. The fact that some teachers are absent so often and also unpunctual shows their lack of understanding of the serious responsibility they have in influencing the lives of our young ones, educating the country and shaping the future of our land and by extension the world. Self enhancement poses another challenge as some teachers do not seek to upgrade themselves in order to keep abreast of the ever changing educational landscape. I believe that it is time that the Ministry plays a part as well by making teachers become excited again about teaching through programs. In addition we cannot ignore the fact that the Ministry is partly responsible for frustrating teachers as some feel they have to beg for their increments which they are entitled to and teachers also believe that basic resources needed by them are denied by the Ministry or when it is applied for, gets lost in the red tape of processing which even frustrates the suppliers who eventually stop doing business with schools. The system is rigged with problems, however this should not be used as an excuse to short change the nation's children. Our responsibility to the children in our care is our first responsibility and what ever grouse we have with the Ministry is between them and us. Let us therefore learn each day how to overcome obstacles in our service of mankind as "Those of us who dare to teach must never cease to learn" (S.G.S.S 1971.)
ReplyDeleteHi Roland,
ReplyDeleteWe have made it through another exciting programme. Like you I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was twelve years old. I was an average student who had a very broken school life. I changed schools about five times between standard one and five.
Two things saved me. Firstly, I had caring teachers who always looked out for me and secondly, I could read. My standard five teacher taught us a song entitled, 'If I can help somebody as I pass along then my living shall not be in vain. That has been my philosophy throughout my life and directs what I do as a teacher.
My children come first. I know that every child can learn and I ensure that all my students are relaxed and comfortable to begin work in side and out side of class. The nature of my subject area ensures that I employ Constructivist philosophy and techniques. I purchase materials that I know students will need through the school vote.
They experience success every year in learning and in their exams. In many cases these students pass only one subject, Visual Arts. Last year we had 100% success. I am passionate about my subject because my father made me drop art in form three, telling me that I could not make a living from it.
I began officially studying Art when I was forty and today I am Head of Department for the Visual and Performing Arts in my school. Like you, Terrance and Jewel I am a firm believer of not shortchanging the students. I cannot abide teachers who come late almost everyday, go late to classes and then complain about the children.
Stemming from the research of Locke whose focus was on external influences and learning(Ttacey and Morrow,2006), the external conditions impact learning, we must set the school tone for the day so that fruitful interactions and learning can take place.
I must say that this ICT course was an exciting one and I am certainly going to use these new technologies in my teaching /learning sessions when school reopens. Thank you for your input in my ICT education.
Best Wishes!