ptl

My Philosophy of Teaching and Learning: My yesterday, My Today, and My Tomorrow

Introduction:

One's yesterday can sometimes determine their tomorrow. For us who want to be teachers, we look back at our own teachers to get that "inside scoop". Our personality like everyone else's can easily determine how we put it into practice once we reach that career we have been working hard for. The way we are taught can either help or hurt the way we learn. We are all individuals who have different ways of approaching certain things. Our learning styles differ and once we become teachers, our preferable styles of teaching will also vary. Our today is what we must plan carefully to make our future productive and our past a great memory.

Memory of my favorite teacher:

My favorite school teacher would have to be my kindergarten teacher, Ms. Mednick. Although sometimes I vaguely remember her, there are some memories that stand out. The biggest memory I have of her was her key ring. The ring was very big; she would wear it on her wrist. It would always make a great amount of noise when she walked. Ms. Mednick was a petite woman with short white-blonde hair. She always wore a pair of pants and sandals and her shirts would always be colorful. Her small figure was accompanied by a rather soothing smell. She usually smelled like a sweet bouquet of mixed flowers. She had the absolutely nicest attitude. On daily basis, I would see her with a great big smile yet never a frown. Every morning, she would have us sit on the rag (made to look likehopscotch squares). Before we did anything else, she would have us sing a song. She played a
record with the lyrics:

"Good morning, good morning, good morning to you.The day is beginning, there's so much to do."

She always made me feel good. Once, during a parent conference, I remember that she told my mom that I had better writing than she did. Overall, she had the best personality. Ms. Mednick was a great teacher even after I had left her class. Whenever we ran into each other, she would always ask how I was doing in school. Knowing that she cared, helped me realize that for her, teaching is more than a job, it's a passion.

My personality and its relationship to my favorite teacher:

Ms. Mednick was my favorite teacher for her character. I was drawn to her as a role model because teachers like her are what the world needs. From helping us during our painting time to teaching us during class work time, she always encouraged us. Since I am aware that I am often serious, I know I can let go of the problems and be happy. I was also drawn to her because I notice that when I am around kids I tend to incorporate what I have learned from her. The personal trait I hope that I picked up from her is a pleasing smile. From the first time kindergarten student to the more mature fifth grader, a smile can always give others a sense of comfort.
My personality is very different. I am a person of strong character and I can be very serious at times. However, when I am around kids, I seem like an entirely different person. I forget about problems and responsibilities and learn to be a kid again. Another part of my personality is my leadership skill. Ever since I can remember, I have always tried to be a leader rather than a follower. I know that when becoming a teacher, I will do my best to teach the younger generations what I have been taught and in a manner that they will enjoy.

Good teaching:

What is good teaching? Everyone has their own perspective of what good teaching is and everyone has their own way of getting it into pratice. Good teaching isn't always about standing in front of a classroom of students and lecturing. Instead, teaching involves interactions between students and teachers. Certain assignments, activities, and the instructors attitudes contribute to the concept of good teaching.
In the last couple of weeks I have noticed several things that lead to both good teaching and good learning. One of the best examples of good teaching activities is the Q&A between professors and students. I believe that this forms better relationships between the student and the instructor. Reading assignments and a follow up conversation of the particular reading are also examples of good teaching. After a reading assignment, everyone has an equal opportunity to voice their opinion on what was read. Besides the assignments and activities, the attitude of the instructor is key.

Good learning:

Good learning techniques as well as teaching techniques, are very important. I believe that one of the best learning techniques is that of group work. Group work allows students to get to know each other and form better bonds. It also allows students to get help from their own peers instead of just a professor. Another good learning technique comes from the Hyper News posts. Students can get to know more of their classmates and professors. Students can also ask questions that they might not have comprehended during class time.
During the last couple of weeks, I have noticed that I am learning more that I expected. During class time, I work with other students as well as teachers. At home I can post a message and get help. I have noticed that my learning style is based on note-taking. I tend to take plenty of notes. One of the most unique experiences at CSUN was without a doubt the day when I got together with some of the girls from ITEP to study for a history exam. I had never been in a study group. The experience was one of a kind. I had the opportunity to review for the exam and have some questions clarified. I was also filled with a lot more confidence with the study group; the girls helped me study and calm the anxiety I had because of the exam. Before I would never consider a study group but after the experience, I would considerate it an option the next time I have an important test to study for. Other students have other forms of learning and hopefully we can combine our styles to become better students and hopefully one day a master student.

My future teaching style:

The image of my philosophy of teaching is a bit unique. The picture includes a lot of little nicknacks. The picture itself includes two plush dogs, a small chalkboard image, a school bus box, and books in the background. The picture gives you a sense of happiness and joyfulness when you think of teaching. The most important portion of the picture is the " I LOVE TEACHING" blocks. The blocks are placed in front of everything else and show a passion for teaching.
In the years after I graduate from college, I hope to be able to relate to the picture. In the future I intend to approach teaching in a loving and happy manner. I want to be a teacher filled with color. My philosophy of teaching is encouragement. If you are encouraging, all other thingsfall through. The way you act towards students can reflect the way students grow and learn. My philosophy of teaching is also to embrace the difference of my students. I want to be able to teach in ways that everyone will appreciate. Everyone is different and everyone has a different purpose just like the items in the image. I plan to learn from them as they learn from me and hope to be the best teacher possible.

Conclusion:

Teaching and learning are intertwined. I believe that the way I am being taught in my classes will very well affect the way that I teach in the future. I am a person who prefers a note taking way of learning but I think that it is important to be open to other styles. My philosophy of teaching and learning is that teachers are the biggest influence in the way you learn. The more positive they are the more likely one is to learn. My kindergarten teacher was always verypositive, happy, and upbeat, and now I can only thank her for her optimistic influence. One of the biggest reasons I look up to Ms. Mednick is her positive and warm attitude. If she would have had an inappropriate attitude, her teaching would not have been as positive. My personality says a lot of whom I am and who I want to be. Although I am sometimes serious, the presence children change that. These past weeks have been very influential and helpful. I hope that once I become a teacher, I can put my plans into practice. I want to have the most positive influence possible on those children. There is nothing I would love more than to see children succeed and carry with them essentials of both pleasant learning and favorable living.