Relationship Education
Education is a career that is fulfilling in many ways. As a teacher, one can influence the lives of young people and can impact society. I believe that the most important aspect of being an educator involves relationships--relationships where the teacher understands the students and makes them feel important, where the teacher understands that enthusiasm for learning and life can determine outcomes, and where the teacher maintains a level of life-long learning to adapt to the best practices available. Relationship education is a combination of personal and professional relationships where a level of excellence can be achieved by all.
Throughout my career, I have learned that the most important aspect of a classroom is the teacher. A teacher that demonstrates positive attitudes towards students and the learning environment. The idea that all kids can learn is absolutely true. What kids learn can fluctuate based on factors that each student brings to the classroom. Some will learn the content, some self-confidence, some proper behavior, and some how to dream. It is the responsibility of the teacher to get to know each and every student in a proper teacher-student relationship in order for learning of all types to occur. I have learned that teaching is more than delivering content. Teaching includes the building and molding of young people into productive adults. In order to achieve this level of learning, a teacher must be open to all methods and maintain a sense of accountability in the classroom. If expectations are high then students will achieve.
People with passion are more successful in any career, but especially in education. I have found a passion in the lives of my students. I mention the lives of students because I want help the students improve on a daily basis. I strive for helping students understand their strengths and to work on their weaknesses. The underdog in the classroom is especially important to me. I really enjoy seeing someone who struggles in school finding success in my classroom. A recent student who is autistic was a big focus for me last semester. I did not just want to get him through the curriculum, but wanted to help him understand how to overcome his difficulties. The “C” and “D” students hold special places in my heart. To help these students improve and be validated as important is very fulfilling. This is accomplished with great enthusiasm. A teacher must enjoy what they teach but must also enjoy the students. Every day it is important for teachers to be full of positive energy so students can achieve more.
Life-long learning has been taught to me by the best teachers I ever had, my parents. They both were educators and strived to stay current in their profession to the day they retired. Currently, I am involved in designing a digital curriculum in social studies. Instead of adopting textbooks, our department decided to use laptops and the internet as our classroom resource. The decision to implement the digital curriculum was due to the idea that we can help children learn if we meet them at their points of interests. We also considered the fact that using computers would help them after high school in college and in the work force. We are on a pace to attempt to go completely paperless, as students often submit work electronically. I am the pioneer for this program in our school and have been asked to help other educators as they move in this direction. By building the curriculum from state standards we are able then to find resources relevent to each required subject by using a website called Nettrekker as well as other popular search engines. Students are more on task and able to dig more deeply into subjects than with a text. The level of communication with students has improved due to email communications that are available with our school website host Google Classroom. We have witnessed better note taking and organization. Projects are used such as podcasts, movies, and powerpoint presentations to assess student understanding. There are unlimited resources available with technology to improve the education of students. It has been a privilege to be involved in such a ground breaking curriculum.
Relationships, passion and life-long learning are important to me as an educator. I take pride in constantly looking for ways to improve my classroom. I appreciate the faith my superintendent and principal have in me to allow me to be involved in such a project. I look forward to improving each day and to sharing what I learn and what I do with other teachers. Our students are too important not to strive to be the best we can be. These students are the future of our society and they deserve the best we can offer.
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