About Me
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My name is Claire Grant and I am currently in my final year of studying a Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Education. My majors are Design, History and Textiles.
Teaching Philosophy
To be a teacher is to be creator of a society. Teachers do
not just teach knowledge, they are; facilitators of learning, role models,
inspirational figures, caring individuals, consistent people in students lives
and nurturing human beings that touch their student lives forever. A teacher’s
responsibility is to be the best teacher they possibly can be, to be an “effective
teacher”.
Effective teaching requires the educator to understand the content and subject matter. In order to be an effective teacher it is essential that teachers have a mastery of the subject area. Teachers have a responsibility to teach the content efficiently and accurately. Outstanding teachers have a deep understanding of the content and are flexible with its delivery. It is important that teachers select and use their content knowledge to engage their students. Teachers must organise content into an effective learning and teaching sequence. Teachers must use the curriculum to guide their teaching and practice. Effective teachers guide students through tasks which develops their content mastery. The effective teacher must be; organised in every lesson, provide clear objectives to students, use time efficiently, clarify misunderstandings, answers questions, provide constant feedback to students and direct students to appropriate resources. It is imperative that teachers set high standards for student achievement and provide clear and objective means of assessing their students learning. An effective teacher has a passion for their subject area. A passionate teachers exhibits enthusiasm towards their subject area and content while prompting student enthusiasm towards the subject through their attitudes and approaches to teaching and learning. Effective teachers embrace the use of technology in their classrooms in order to enhance the content they are teaching and enhance student learning. Effective teachers are open to incorporating new ideas and approaches to teaching and learning. Effective teachers are ongoing learners that consistently up skill their content and professional knowledge for the betterment of students learning. Effective teaching requires the educator to know their students and teach content ‘from the learners point of view.’ An effective teacher understands the importance of building relationships with each individual student. An effectual teacher builds rapport with their students in order to create a positive social context which enhances teaching and learning. An effective teacher recognises the importance of knowing their students well. To achieve this they need to build strong relationships with students through open communication in order to truly understand each student and how they learn best. Through establishing rapport with students a teacher can grasp learning from their student’s perspective and can then teach content from a ‘learner’s point of view.’ An effective teacher understands the variety of learning styles and how to incorporate these learning styles in their teaching practice. A good teacher understands that no two students are the same therefore uses a variety of teaching approaches and strategies and behaviour management techniques to cater for a diverse range of students. A teacher must always strive to understand how their learners think and reason about the content. Effective teachers engage students at all times. An outstanding teacher must observe and evaluate their student’s strengths and weaknesses, their needs and their abilities in a wide variety of situations. A good teacher uses instructional scaffolding to promote a deeper level of learning in every student. A teacher must adapt their knowledge to their learner’s ways of thinking and level of understanding. A teacher should always differentiate learning to allow students to succeed. Good teachers promote enquiry-based learning so that students can construct their own knowledge. Teachers need to be effective communicators. An effective teacher must always put the learning needs of their students first. A teacher must understand that they play a vital role as a facilitator of learning and that they must use their knowledge of each student to draw out their experiences so that they develop along the continuum. A good teacher understands that their role changes as their learners become more competent in their learning. Effective teachers promote a nurturing and inclusive environment. An effective teacher always promotes an inclusive environment. A teacher must always support students learning and nurture them in an environment which supports success not failure. A good teacher promotes students to always try in their learning and be ready to praise and reward their attempts. An outstanding teacher facilitates an environment where student’s learning is supported by the teacher and by their peers. An effective teacher is caring, respectful and sensitive towards students. A teacher must understand that students are afraid of failure which results in low self confidence. They must always create an environment which is free of anxiety and fear of failure. A good teacher challenges students learning and encourages them to be the best learner they can be. An effective teacher creates an environment where students feel safe and supported in their learning. Teachers must always provide encouragement and support where they recognise both student achievements and student effort. Teachers must always create an environment which is free of bullying and where student are not ‘devalued’ due to their learning needs. A good teacher promotes equality amongst all students. A teacher must create an environment that is trusting where every individual is valued for their individuality and their unique learning styles and needs and being. Effective teachers promote life skills learning. An effective teacher teaches skills that will aide students in all aspects of their current and future lives. An outstanding teacher understands that life skills must be embedded in the curriculum. A teacher must teach student’s life skills such as self awareness, critical thinking, decision making, effective communication, coping with stress, empathy, problem solving, interpersonal relationships and coping with emotion. An effective teacher always leads by example and exhibits behaviour which is desirable in society; dress appropriately, use manners, show politeness, use appropriate language and show kindness and respect for others. Teachers must show feeling, emotion and use humour in order for learning to be fun and interesting for students. An effective teacher uses reflective practises consistently. An effective teacher is a lifelong learner and will always be an evolving practitioner of learning. A teacher must always reflect on their teaching practice and their students learning to better their teaching and learning. An outstanding teacher always encourages students to reflect on their own learning. An effective teacher needs to be involved in ongoing professional learning and up skill their practices to be at the cutting edge of learning. A teacher must always reflect back on the Professional Standards for teachers to continually improve their teaching practice for the benefit of students learning. |