- I believe that as a teacher it is my responsibility to create the best possible environment for student learning and skill development. To me, this means my classroom needs to be a safe and welcoming space where everyone feels they belong and that they are valued regardless of differences or abilities. I believe students’ uniqueness and life experiences need to be valued by their teachers because celebrating our diversity enriches all of us, making for an enjoyable, inclusive classroom.
- Positive relationships between students and teachers are essential to student success. Meaningful relationships are established when students can trust their teacher and when their teacher relates to them on a personal level. Learning is for everyone and all learners require support and skill practice. Learners learn best when teachers have the goal of reducing student stress and they present new information in a way that is not overwhelming. Teachers must be willing to listen to student suggestions or experiment with incorporating new technology in their classroom that they may be unfamiliar with, if it will potentially benefit student learning.
- Learner centered classrooms should be utilized to allow for classroom and lesson structure to be delivered in a variety of formats to help keep students engaged and inspire students to be excited about learning.Teachers should be encouraging students to explore new learning methods and to challenge themselves so students can discover how they like to learn best. While learning and student success should be a priority, teachers need to do their best to ensure that students can feel comfortable questioning information presented by their teacher and be open to spending time discussing other opinions.
- Classroom rules need to be easily understood so that students will be aware that they have been set for everyone’s benefit and that their teacher will be consistent about applying them. Teachers need to take bulling seriously because it is their professional obligation to stop bullying when they see or hear about it to ensure the safety of all students.
- I believe successful teachers model behavior that shows they are accountable for their mistakes. This behavior model is important to teach their students to be more comfortable with making mistakes themselves as well as saying ‘I don’t know, I will find out’ or ‘ I need help with this’.
- Assessment of learning should be handled confidentially and respectfully because no student should be embarrassed about receiving a low grade. Teachers need to be conscious of the influence they can have on their student’s confidence while learning. As a teacher I will understand that the relationships I have with my students are not only dynamic, but also fragile.