I have known that I wanted to be a teacher since my first day of Junior Kindergarten when I was 3 ½ years old. My mother will tell you that she knew I was destined for a career in education when she saw me lining up my dolls in my room and teaching them what I had learned in school that day using the chalkboard on my bedroom wall.
From the moment I was old enough, I volunteered myself for as many opportunities to work with children as I could. The older that I got, the more opportunities were presented to me, and the more my passion for education grew. The second that I entered my first practicum classroom as a Teacher Candidate, I knew that I had found where I belonged.
This same sense of belonging that I felt upon my first experience as the teacher in the room is what I hope to emulate in my own classroom. I believe that every child deserves to be educated by an empathetic professional who is dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming space in which they can thrive. Students that are in my classroom will be encouraged and empowered to discover how they learn best, increase their levels of empathy and focus on global citizenship.
I believe in the value of equity in learning, namely that every child deserves to have an education that suits their individual needs. A classroom is made up of diverse learners from many cultural and ethnic backgrounds and I believe this diversity should be celebrated and encouraged. This will be evident in my teaching as I take the time to get to know each student and to immerse myself in their ways of knowing as much as possible. Having said this, I firmly believe that teaching is a learning process for both teacher and student. My classroom will emulate the concept that everyone has intelligence to share and that learning is a partnership. I also highly value the concept of creativity and innovation in education- that it should not be static but should change and adapt with each new group of students. I will treat each student and staff member who enters my classroom with respect and an open heart.
I believe that a good teacher is willing to learn along with their students, embodying the notion of life-long learning. A good teacher is someone who teaches their students how to be global citizens and to appreciate all cultures, societies, and lifestyles in the world today. Critical thinking skills will help to develop their international and intercultural perspectives, which will encourage students to question what they know about the world. A good teacher is also someone who encourages their students to dream big and can instill a sense of worthiness and self-respect in their students. Teachers must be caring and kind towards their students, emulating compassion and openness that they might not experience from any other adult in their lives.
I believe that teaching is one of the most difficult, but also one of the most rewarding professions in the world. To become an outstanding teacher that makes an impact on students, they must have a passion for the field, always demonstrating the utmost care and professionalism. I believe that learning is constantly changing and is different for every student, making teaching an art of adaptation and continual engagement.
Ultimately, I believe that teaching and learning are about relationships, instilling positive values and expectations, and helping students grow to the greatest possible heights.
