Teaching Philosophy
Imparting wisdom and knowledge for others to take in and analyze is an arduous task and I have seen this for over twenty years as I have had the experience of seeing my father working as a history teacher. Being an educator who not only studied English literature but also film I am one whose philosophy not only revolves around using required texts for a given curriculum, but also others that supplement the students’ deeper understanding of issues addressed. I think context is very important when it comes to pupils’ comprehension of their environment, which is why I use a Freirian approach and believe the classroom, although it should have some sense of control, should be a free area where students and teachers interact and learn from each other because “[a]uthentic thinking, thinking that is concerned about reality, does not take place in ivory tower isolation, but only in communication” (Freire 2005). Understanding one's surroundings can be aided with group work which is why I also apply cooperative learning in my classroom. Therefore, not only am I as a professor important for the students’ understanding of their surroundings but they are also significant to my own professional and personal growth while we work together applying all forms of technology and media in class.
I take my students’ backgrounds and surroundings into consideration before delving deeply into teaching, I am the one who has to adapt to their setting and it allows them to relax and have a successful learning experience. In order to be successful at this, I try to receive my students with instrumental music, mostly hip hop and jazz, in the background giving them a sense of relaxation. For example, this past semester I have had the chance to connect better with my students thanks to this method. I have found that by applying this method students get focused when they do their work be it alone or collaboratively. Additionally, music has helped me connect with students on a higher level because we have conversations outside the classroom where we constantly discuss and exchange music and how they impact their understanding of their surroundings.
I believe that we as educators should help pupils find their voices and help them whenever they struggle to do so. For example, while working at the English Writing Center (EWC) in the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM), I am constantly having to adapt to different situations because students bring papers for various reasons. One time, I helped a junior biology major who was applying for an internship in the United States. In her essay she had to explain why she wanted to apply for the internship and provide a brief summary of how it would help her in the future. As stated previously, for an educator adaptability is a key to the success. Therefore, I adapted to the situation and as I read through her essay I constantly asked her about certain terms related to biology, making the experience one in which we both learned. Once finished, I noticed that her work seemed a bit generic and that maybe adding a bit of her self into it and personalizing would be better. Taking this into consideration, we finished our session and she left. A few months later she came into the EWC to bring another assignment. Luckily, I was there and she thanked me for helping her out because she had gotten accepted into the internship. Using one’s voice is very important and I believe we as educators should always help students find their own so they can express their ideas fluently and effectively.
My teaching philosophy is one of adaptability where I have to modify constantly to the students’ needs so they can better understand their environment, while expressing themselves more freely, working in groups and using other forms of media.
I take my students’ backgrounds and surroundings into consideration before delving deeply into teaching, I am the one who has to adapt to their setting and it allows them to relax and have a successful learning experience. In order to be successful at this, I try to receive my students with instrumental music, mostly hip hop and jazz, in the background giving them a sense of relaxation. For example, this past semester I have had the chance to connect better with my students thanks to this method. I have found that by applying this method students get focused when they do their work be it alone or collaboratively. Additionally, music has helped me connect with students on a higher level because we have conversations outside the classroom where we constantly discuss and exchange music and how they impact their understanding of their surroundings.
I believe that we as educators should help pupils find their voices and help them whenever they struggle to do so. For example, while working at the English Writing Center (EWC) in the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM), I am constantly having to adapt to different situations because students bring papers for various reasons. One time, I helped a junior biology major who was applying for an internship in the United States. In her essay she had to explain why she wanted to apply for the internship and provide a brief summary of how it would help her in the future. As stated previously, for an educator adaptability is a key to the success. Therefore, I adapted to the situation and as I read through her essay I constantly asked her about certain terms related to biology, making the experience one in which we both learned. Once finished, I noticed that her work seemed a bit generic and that maybe adding a bit of her self into it and personalizing would be better. Taking this into consideration, we finished our session and she left. A few months later she came into the EWC to bring another assignment. Luckily, I was there and she thanked me for helping her out because she had gotten accepted into the internship. Using one’s voice is very important and I believe we as educators should always help students find their own so they can express their ideas fluently and effectively.
My teaching philosophy is one of adaptability where I have to modify constantly to the students’ needs so they can better understand their environment, while expressing themselves more freely, working in groups and using other forms of media.
Strengths
For these past three semesters, I have taught both levels of Intermediate English INGL3103 and INGL3104. Throughout this time, I have been noted for having a sense of community in my classroom where students feel comfortable working in groups as well as providing a space for them to express their ideas in a relaxed environment.
I have also been praised for my class controlling skills such as finger snapping and the use of a timer for assignments. Any time students get a little rowdy in class I take advantage of my loud finger snapping. Meanwhile, in order to manage time I use a timer for in class assignments such as free writing exercises and group activities.
Throughout my time teaching, an observation done by fellow educators is my use of music. At the beginning of class, I use music in order to connect with students and to present a smooth environment. My use of music also extends to my timed activities. For example, I will play smooth jazz or instrumental hip hop as pupils free write or work together.
These are but a few of my strengths and there are many that I wish to continue developing and strengthening. Teaching is a profession I greatly value as it is one of the most important roles a person has in order to shape another's life.
I have also been praised for my class controlling skills such as finger snapping and the use of a timer for assignments. Any time students get a little rowdy in class I take advantage of my loud finger snapping. Meanwhile, in order to manage time I use a timer for in class assignments such as free writing exercises and group activities.
Throughout my time teaching, an observation done by fellow educators is my use of music. At the beginning of class, I use music in order to connect with students and to present a smooth environment. My use of music also extends to my timed activities. For example, I will play smooth jazz or instrumental hip hop as pupils free write or work together.
These are but a few of my strengths and there are many that I wish to continue developing and strengthening. Teaching is a profession I greatly value as it is one of the most important roles a person has in order to shape another's life.
Areas of Improvement
Nobody is perfect even when we try to be the best in our profession, which is why with strengths there are also areas of improvements. After being observed by fellow educators I have found that some of the areas I could improve upon are the following:
- Providing more time for my students to formulate their questions.
- Providing clear instructions for group work.
- Encouraging students to use their textbooks and notebooks.