Statement of Values and Beliefs
The character of a superb teacher is exemplified in the relationships they foster with their students. A good teacher listens and cares, but a great teacher harnesses those concerns into an enduring and uplifting relationship for the purpose of bettering their students. I plan to achieve this through open and honest communication with every student I encounter and to be the first to plant the seeds of an ever-growing relationship of trust and reliance in the hopes of improving not only my student’s educational and mental well-being, but to encourage my own professional growth as well. As a role model for young minds, it is equally important to stimulate the growth of my heart and mind so that my students may look to strive for personal growth by their own merit. The school day always ends, but the path to an enlightened sense of self and compassion is ongoing.
The classroom should be a place of liberal education. While focusing on a main subject, it is ideal to work in cross-curricular content such as literacy, numeracy, or the fine arts, as each subject can compliment and enhance each other’s instruction in surprising ways. By doing so, our students will continue to grow in their most needed areas while receiving a well-rounded education. Through the Social Constructivist approach, our students should be given the greatest access to their most needed skill sets, thus a classroom with liberal education in mind is particularly desired.
The student’s needs and backgrounds should be assessed as soon as possible in order to approach them with an equitable mindset. Ideally, a classroom that focuses on equity will give every student the care and attention needed to be successful in each subject and their daily lives. Complete equity is a challenge even the most experienced teachers can fall short of. However, with proper consideration attending to differentiation and student need, it becomes an achievable goal. If we are not doing our best for our students then we can not expect them to do their best for us.
- Karl Hanson