Teacher Collaboration

I would really like to have a mentor teacher, if not two, that I could rely on in times of need. I would love to share ideas and methods, tests and worksheets. I would like it to be a mutual collaboration, meaning no one involved did any more work than the others. It would not be fair if one teacher created the tests for all teachers on that grade level. Collaboration means teamwork. Teamwork means equal contributions. If I want my students to work in cooperative learning groups in the classroom, collaborating with teachers would set a good example for them to follow.

Technology in the Classroom

Technology can be a wonderful thing when it's implemented in the classroom correctly. Throughout my microcomputing class at the University of South Alabama, I've learned many techniques and programs that can be used in the elementary classroom. Blogging was my favorite because it was very easy for the children to do, but it was still integrating technology into their curriculum. I also liked the podcasts we were able to create. I believe that children in elementary schools would really enjoy making a podcast or a video. At the beginning of the year, I would like to create a video about all of the students in my classroom. It would be a great way for everyone to get to know each other.

Parental Involvement

I really hope to have parental involvement in my classroom. It seems that parental involvement is almost standard in some schools while others have to work for it. Still, other schools do not have parental involvement at all. With luck, I will receive a job offer from a school where parents are eager and willing to become involved. If this is not the case, however, I believe that I could work with parents from any community and background and show them that being involved in their child's education is very important. I do not strive for parental involvement just so I have extra hands around the classroom. When I speak of parental involvement, I wish to see parents who work with their children at home on concepts we have learned in the classroom. I wish to see parents ask questions about what their children are learning in school. I simply want parents to take an interest in their children and their children's education.

Cooperative Learning

I believe in cooperative learning. I think it is very beneficial for students of all ages to work together. Students gain an understanding of what it's like to work with others. They learn to reason with other students. Hopefully, students will learn to critique ideas, not people. Sometimes cooperative learning groups can be hard to manage, but if you've established an environment conducive to learning, and students know the rules of the classroom, it is not impossible. Before group work begins, as a teacher, I would need to discuss particular rules and methods for group time. I hope I will be able to implement cooperative learning into my classroom successfully.

My Personal Teaching Philosophy

As I teacher, I want to remember what it was like to be a student. I want to portray the values that I loved about my teachers. I value creativity. Thinking outside the box is one of the best ways to improve. Another method of improving is having diverse perspectives. If you can see things from a different point of view, you can accommodate everyone's needs. This will give me new ways of thinking which, in turn, will give me new methods of teaching. I have to focus on personal development and learning if I want my students to benefit from my teaching. I want to have a sense of humor in the classroom as well. I've been told that a sense of humor is very important. You have to learn to laugh at yourself if you make a mistake because, otherwise, your students are laughing at you, not with you. I've taken this advice to heart. I also want a sense of humor to make the learning more fun and interesting. If I become bored with a lesson, I can't expect the students to pay attention.

I want to take charge in the classroom from the very beginning. I don't want to be a dictator, but I'm not going to tolerate nonsense. This is going to take some self discipline on my part because I am known for letting people get away with things sometimes. This can't be the case in the classroom. Otherwise, I know I will have a terrible year. I have to show my authority. The students need to respect me. I'm also hoping that along with respect for me, they will appreciate me. This makes for a much better relationship. I will respect my students, and I will appreciate the effort they make in class.

I plan on collaborating with fellow teachers as well. I want to find a mentor. I'll feel much better if I have someone I can trust and go to for advice. The scariest part of teaching, for me, is dealing with the unexpected issues. Those seem to be pretty common. I have confidence that I can handle them, but I'm a person who likes to plan ahead and those situations don't always allow that. I also want to build a community within my classroom, and maybe even within my grade level. I want the parents to be involved as much as they would like to be. I'll also need to ask favors from my parents, and, if I get to know them and build a strong community with them, they will probably be more likely to volunteer.

The most important thing for me as a teacher is to make sure my students learn, and to try my best to make the learning enjoyable. For this, I have to be fair and honest with my students. I need to show a good balance between compassion and authority. Teaching is a profession where tough love is a necessity sometimes. I am committed to education. I hope my students become as enthusiastic as I am.