I believe that through education individuals will receive the necessary knowledge and skills to better understand the world around them as well as succeed in and out of the classroom. Within an educational environment students should be challenged, encouraged to problem solve, and given the opportunity to build a positive relationship with learning. I believe as educators it is our job to make sure learning takes place in a safe, open and supportive environment. My role as a teacher is to positively impact the lives of an individual and help directly affect change in others. Contributing to society by way of teaching is a very rewarding feeling. This feeling keeps my drive to continue to educate others and help them build a successful future for themselves. Teaching is more than just letters and numbers, it's developing that strong relationship with a student, and being a figure an individual can look up to and go to when necessary. Forming a strong bond with my students means a lot to me. I want my students to feel cared for and supported in the classroom.
I would describe my teaching style as a diverse use of methods and techniques. Each student has a dynamic and different learning style so I adapt my teaching style as needed to better help the understanding of the students. I use many different techniques to ensure each child's success. Every student deserves the opportunity to be successful. As an educator I would like to have an open line of communication so I know where the students are struggling and where they are succeeding. Doing this also gives the student a voice and a chance to get more comfortable asking questions or speak about what they need from me as a teacher. Being able to openly communicate with students makes them feel comfortable and trusted. My teaching style promotes problem solving, hands-on learning and high engagement to help build students' self confidence in the classroom.
My role as a special education teacher is to ensure every student is getting the accommodations, modifications, help and care that they need to learn. The importance of this is crucial because everyone learns differently and everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed no matter which way they learn. If a student doesn’t learn the way I teach, I change the way I teach to how the student does his or her best learning. Special Education is the ability to teach and learn new ways to be successful in and outside of the classroom. Being a special education teacher you need to understand the importance of different learning styles and techniques. As a special education teacher you have to understand the students' needs and help them achieve their best work.
My role as an educator in general is to provide the best possible knowledge and environment for learning. My job is to teach students the knowledge and skills they need to build themselves a successful future. It is my duty that students are given this knowledge to help them better understand themselves and the environment around them. I strive for them to challenge themselves and explore their brains with new knowledge. I want them to believe in themselves and overcome obstacles throughout their education as well as put together the building blocks that they have developed with knowledge to set their futures up for success.
It is important to approach things you do in the field of education with a positive, understanding and caring attitude. Every single student matters and should be treated with respect. If you care and respect your students they will do the same for you. Students should feel safe and comfortable in the classroom and should feel they can trust and be supported by you as an educator. For example, at my current part time substitute job at North Tonawanda Learning Center with Orleans Niagara BOCES not every child has a good home life. For many students school is their safe place and they enjoy being in school. School should not only be a place of learning but a place of care and love whether it’s with social interaction, play with friends, or talks with a teacher students should feel welcomed and safe. Not every child feels this way at home so if I could make a childs day just by chatting with them, playing with them or teaching them something new I want to be able to do that everyday.
Being understanding and positive plays an important role in being an educator. Students want to know that they can talk to you and can trust you with anything, especially when they have a bad day. These things also help build an effective classroom management system. Building a positive relationship with your students is a huge part of classroom management. Students will most likely respond correctly or positively to a direction or assignment if they already have a strong student to teacher relationship. When treated fairly and with respect individuals are more likely to respond effectively to discipline or disagreement as well.
My love for teaching started in coaching Kenmore Special Olympics senior year in highschool. I had the pleasure to work with multiple athletes with a range of disabilities. I was there to teach them the basics of track and field. My duty was to keep them safe but also have fun doing it by helping them get better in their specific events. I made three new close friends that season that I continued to work with and coach for the following four years after that. Volunteering for Kenmore Special Olympics for those years made me realize I love to help and teach individuals with disabilities and made me want to pursue it professionally.
The passion I have for teaching will never go away. I will do everything in my power to make sure every student gets the opportunity to learn and be successful. My goal is to provide a safe, open and supportive learning environment. As well as encourage students to push themselves and achieve their goals. Developing a professional relationship with each of my students is essential for me to help them succeed and develop trust, respect and self confidence for themselves, others and in their lives, not just in education.