I believe first-rate teachers must have a passion for learning and possess qualities in creativity and leadership, with a never-give-up attitude, to be truly successful in the field of education. Educators need to be lifelong learners in order to instill the love of learning in their students too. Effective teachers are versatile professionals, who appreciate challenge, and are resourceful. I believe that my role as a teacher is to help students explore their place in the world, embrace their own diversity as well as that of their peers, and promote a love for learning (redundant). Below, using examples from my own teaching I explain in greater detail how I try to achieve these teaching goals.
Using Diversity as a Teaching Tool
I am captured …show more content…
In summer of 2016, I combined my love of travel and challenges, and interest in advocacy, and led a cross-country service trip to benefit affordable housing, cycling 4100 miles from New Haven, CT to Half Moon Bay, CA. Spending every waking moment with the same 30 people for 11 weeks was a challenge in and of itself. Together, we saw places of wealth, places drowning in troubles, we built homes with affordable housing organizations like Habitat for Humanity, and we climbed mountains together, every kind of mountain. My sense of adventure expanded, with the excitement of not knowing, in advance, the sights, people or places of the day and the power to keep pedaling regardless of the obstacle. Over the course of this summer, I truly learned how to be grateful for all of the small things that others have done for me and in return, the significance of the small difference that I can make, and the domino effect of leading by example. Leading by example translates to the classroom too, as teachers should model and practice lifelong learning habits to promote student learning, and motivate …show more content…
Teaching content is only one responsibility of many that a teacher has to their students. While it is likely students may forget a bulk of the information learned in the K-12 education, the way students learn how to reason and think critically will guide them through life. I believe in the importance of character education, and teaching the values of empathy, honesty, responsibility and fairness. The foundation for these skills must be established in K-12 education. Teaching social skills as well as content fosters the development of ethical and responsible
Using Diversity as a Teaching Tool
I am captured …show more content…
In summer of 2016, I combined my love of travel and challenges, and interest in advocacy, and led a cross-country service trip to benefit affordable housing, cycling 4100 miles from New Haven, CT to Half Moon Bay, CA. Spending every waking moment with the same 30 people for 11 weeks was a challenge in and of itself. Together, we saw places of wealth, places drowning in troubles, we built homes with affordable housing organizations like Habitat for Humanity, and we climbed mountains together, every kind of mountain. My sense of adventure expanded, with the excitement of not knowing, in advance, the sights, people or places of the day and the power to keep pedaling regardless of the obstacle. Over the course of this summer, I truly learned how to be grateful for all of the small things that others have done for me and in return, the significance of the small difference that I can make, and the domino effect of leading by example. Leading by example translates to the classroom too, as teachers should model and practice lifelong learning habits to promote student learning, and motivate …show more content…
Teaching content is only one responsibility of many that a teacher has to their students. While it is likely students may forget a bulk of the information learned in the K-12 education, the way students learn how to reason and think critically will guide them through life. I believe in the importance of character education, and teaching the values of empathy, honesty, responsibility and fairness. The foundation for these skills must be established in K-12 education. Teaching social skills as well as content fosters the development of ethical and responsible