Becoming an effective educator takes passion, dedication, and a desire for continuing education. This program so far has helped open my mind to new teaching philosophies, instructional strategies and helped me hone my craft in becoming a better and more effective classroom teacher. Through the program, the many resources utilized and topics covered, I have seen myself grow as an educator and begin implementing new ways of thinking into my classroom.
My coursework so far has helped me becoming more proficient in reaching the learning outcomes set forth for this program. The emphasis on differentiation in each course so far has helped me build my a more complete understanding in reaching outcome 1(Treat students equitably, recognizing the individual differences that distinguish one student from another and adjusting their practice based on observation and knowledge of their students’ interests, abilities, skills, knowledge, family circumstances, and peer relationships.) According to
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Another outcome that I am still working to achieve and strive to accomplish more completely is outcome 2 (Create multiple paths to the subjects they teach, through their knowledge of how the subject is created, organized, linked to other disciplines, and applied to real-world settings.) Due to the nature of my current teaching position, my classroom and instruction is STEM based. I would like to continue to find ways to incorporate other subject matter into my STEM education and
An outstanding educator possesses unique qualities that set him or her apart from others in the field. Ask any student about a favorite teacher and listen intently as he or she describes that person with a smile. Ask a parent of a child who will enter first grade in the fall about the teacher choice for their child. The parent would describe the outstanding educator in their desire for that special teacher. The qualities of an outstanding educator are easily recognized by those whose lives they touch, shape, and change on a daily basis. It is in this writing piece that they will be described and discussed.
Teachers of the highest caliber exist, and can be developed with a focus on efforts to develop and acquire actual teaching performance. A knowledge base must be established and continuously updated to aid in the development in the quality of the educator. Effective teaching exists, but it appears that there is a need for definition, and measurement related to student achievement.
The effective teacher exhibits positive expectations for all students. Having positive expectations simply means that the teacher believes in the student and that the student can learn. Students will live up to the expectations you set, and to be effective- your expectations should be positive for all students. The effective teacher establishes good classroom management techniques. Classroom Management is practices and procedures that a teacher uses to maintain an environment in which instruction and learning can occur. Effective teachers manage, ineffective teachers discipline; this book guides you in practicing procedures with your students. The effective teacher designs lessons for student mastery. Mastery simply means a student's demonstration that a concept or skill can be performed at a level of proficiency determined by the teacher. Student success in the subject matter of the class will be the result of how well the teacher designs lessons and checks for mastery. You must know how to get students to do their assignments, pass their tests, and work cooperatively. Wong states that what you do on the first few days of school can determine your success for the rest of the year.
Lang, H., Evans, D.(2006). Models, Strategies, and Methods for Effective Teaching. USA, Pearson Education Inc.
By attending Southeastern Louisiana University, I have learned several different aspects that an educator must have to be effective. An effective educator must do whatever it takes to have their students succeed. Effective educators are passionate in everything they do. They are thoughtful and understanding. Effective teachers must have a well-managed classroom and are always prepared. They are willing to work collaboratively. They must engage their students every day and build a strong relationship with their students. All effective teachers are looking for opportunities to have an impact on their students. It takes plenty of time and practice to become an effective educator. I do truly believe that Southeastern Louisiana University has the
My philosophy of education is basically rooted in my thoughts on what makes a teacher valuable to his or her school and particularly his or her students. To me an effective educator is, first and foremost, someone who genuinely cares about the quality of the education a student is receiving. My memories of great teachers always involve teachers who obviously put time and thought into their lessons. They offered their time to students who wanted to imp...
Through exploring multiple learning theories and reflecting on my own teaching beliefs, I have developed my own theory of learning. As I developed my theory, I wanted to consider what it takes to be a highly effective teacher. An effective teacher must have mastery of instructional strategies, classroom management, classroom curriculum design, and use assessments as feedback (Laureate Education, 2010a). By using a variety of instructional strategies, teacher’s can meet the learning styles of all the students in the classroom. Effective classroom management can lead to students feeling safe and more willing to take risks. When a student feels comfortable to take risk, then learning will increase and the students’ confidence will grow. Classroom management also creates order in the environment, which will allow effective learning to occur. By understanding curriculum, the teacher can target skills and causes learning to take place. Teachers need to deliberately plan lessons around standards and specific goals based on curriculum and the school’s mission (Marzano, 2010). Assessments need to be use to guide instruction and used as a “method for improvement and mastery,” (Marzano, 2010). While determining my own theory of learning, I believe that I need to consider what effective teachers demonstrate in the classroom.
An effective teacher will excite, inspire and motivate students to be active in their learning, investigate new areas of knowledge and make connections to future learning (Whitton et al 2010). When a teacher is successful, their students are motivated, mutually respectful and ready to build on their knowledge and solve real-world problems. To be a teacher of value, one must have many skills and qualities to cater for a diversity of learners and their individual development; this includes many personal traits that are noticed students.
I know what kind of teacher I want to be, but through this program I will develop my thoughts and ideas and be able to apply them in a classroom. Through this program I want to be able to become a teacher that can connect with her students as well as teach them the material through interactive activities. From what I have observed students learn better when they are actively engaged in their academics. I hope to obtain a better understanding of how to encourage students to strive to be the best they can
Everyone knows that when it comes to making a difference in a child’s academic and life achievements, their teachers play a large role. A teacher’s ability to relate to their students, and teach them to achieve both socially and academically, contributes to how effective they are. What does it mean to be an effective teacher? Overall, there seems to be an emphasis on teacher effectiveness related to how well their students are performing on standardized testing. As teachers, we know there is more to being an effective teacher than just teaching our students based on tests.
As an educator, there is always room for reflection and growth. Being in this class has provided an opportunity for both. From my knowledge gained in this class I believe that I have become smarter and have learned how to implement different tool into my teaching as well as general life as a teacher. Of the topics discussed in this class, commitment to students, avoiding burnout and reflective practices had the biggest impact on my professional growth.
As I reflect on my experiences observing in three different classrooms over the last three months, I cannot express how much I have learned by being in the classroom. I began the Master of Science in Education last fall and previous to the practicum experience I had taken 8 classes. I read books, listened to the experiences of my classmates and instructors, reflected on my own education, and tried to imagine how this information was going to prepare me to face a classroom of elementary school students. While I learned theories and skills that should be known by any educator, these classes could not teach me what I most desired to know: what tangible steps could I take to correctly implement all of the correct ways of teaching.
In order for learning to take place in the classroom the teacher has to put in place an effective teaching and learning strategy. Being an effective teacher is not something that can be achieved instantaneously but rather something that has to be continuously developed and improved upon over time. Petty mentions how good teachers are not born but rather make themselves and that effective teaching comes from learning from your mistakes and successes. Petty, p. 516, 2009. This process involves teacher reflection and assessment of the effectiveness of different teaching strategies used in the classroom. It is only then that teachers can learn and advance themselves.
Coming into this class, I figured we would learn about how to handle different kinds of situations from a teacher’s standpoint. As it turns out, the class is much more than just that. I figured there would be group discussions consisting of some controversial issues, but I had no idea how the course would make me feel as a person and as a future educator. So far, this class has brought to light the incredibly difficult decisions I will have to make as a teacher. Not only will those decisions affect the child and parents of that child at hand, but myself as well.
As an individual I put a lot of pressure on how I teach and while analyzing there where many things I would like to change. Every lesson can and should be improved. While observing my interaction with the students I noticed a few things. During the lesson I asked a few students to pay attention by saying their name and as a teacher I should have used positive comments. Such as stating I like how this girl is sitting, which is more positive than stating the child’s name. Positive comments are more beneficial than negative comments, and while teaching stating things in a positive way was forgotten. One of the students has a designated seat in the class and at the beginning of the lesson I should have stated everybody