Reflect and Transform

As a teacher we are constantly writing lesson plans, crafting ideas and making plans for our students.  We sometimes think of this as the most important aspect of our teaching, but what we don't realize is that reflecting back on how our lesson was, analyzing what went well and what didn't and also realizing how our students performed is the most important part of our teaching experience.  With the opportunity that I had to work in a 1st grade classroom for nearly 13 weeks, I was presented with the experience to teach and reflect on the work that I presented.  As much as writing a reflection can be a pain and afterthought, having the ability to review how you presented the information and if it was successful is something that it is important to partake in.  Throughout my experiences with research within the classroom and also personal experiences in my classroom, my ideas and philosophies have been transformed and added on to within my education career.  While you have your main ideas and thoughts about how you teach, constant ideas and changes within the education world will allow you to transform these ideas to fit the mold of your classroom.

My main philosophy as a teacher is the idea that every student has the ability to learn and it is our responsibility to find those ways of learning.  Throughout my practicum experience and the learning that I have received in the classroom, I can see now that my philosophies will always be catered around the same idea, but will be changed and twisted throughout my various experiences.  As I grow as an educator I can see that making connections and building rapport with my students is something that will provide a room full of learning.  By building rapport I will be able to see the various ways of learning that a student may need, because I know them more than just as a student.  I can also see that learning is more than just providing answers, writing essays, reading a story and finishing a book report, learning is every where in the classroom.  Its on the walls, its in small reading groups its in the student's minds.  This is something to not take for granted or become too overwhelmed when you realize that you haven't assessed your students enough or that the state tests are coming up.  Your students have the capability to always be learning, as long as you create an environment that pursues these ideas.  It is always important to establish a positive learning environment that the students understand the rules, establish the expectations and have the ability to be who they are at any point in the day.  By establishing this type of classroom, you will provide the most optimal learning opportunities every single day.

As an educator, we need to be constantly reflecting on our ideas, lessons, and day to day activities so that we can see how to move forward.  It's just as any athlete, musician, artist, etc. reviews the work that they have provided so that the next game, concert, and gallery can be better than before.  This same thought can be brought out with teachers.  We aren't expected to be perfect the first time, or at all for that matter, but reflecting and thinking about ways that we can improve learning for our students is the type of teacher that I wan't my students to have.