My Updated Teacher Platform

My Teacher Platform Maddy Bardgett

As a future educator, it is super important to me to have a clear vision of who I want to be as a teacher to ensure I am the best I can be for my students. We started off this semester by listing what we thought the purposes of schooling was, our image of the learner, the nature and substance of student work, our image of the teacher, our image of the curriculum, our preferred pedagogy, our preferred school climate, and the social significance of the student's learning. Throughout the semester, I have learned a lot that has changed my perspective about each of these ideas that is important to explain.

To be a good teacher, it is key to know the purpose of schooling. For me, I think schooling is a perfect place to provide students a bond with trusting adults. For some students, school is the only “safe place” in their lives and if their families cannot give them what they need, I think school is a great escape for them to be around caring and trusting adults and peers. I also think schooling encourages students' learning capabilities. It is our job as educators to push our students enough where they are learning more than they knew prior but also not to push them too much where they feel defeated. I think getting students excited about their knowledge and showing them they are capable of more than they even thought is the real purpose of schooling.

Having a good image of the learner is an important aspect of being a teacher. I think that every learner has the possibility of a bright future. I think it’s important as teachers to see the good in all students. They all have the possibility to succeed and we cannot put “gifted” students above the struggling students. Every learner deserves equal opportunity. I also think learners should feel like a priority. At the end of the day, we are there for them and it is our primary goal to help and guide them. Learners should also be the leader. The learners need to understand that the teachers don't know everything and they aren't authority to them. Putting students in the drivers seats helps them see they are guiding their education and have power in what they are learning.

I am very passionate that group work is the good nature and substance of student work. I think it promotes good teamwork and is very good for young adolescents socially. If we, as teachers, encourage working together, students will know how to get along and make relationships with peers. I also think doing work that relates to each other in every subject benefits students. Having a curriculum that makes sense and connects in each subject helps students make connections and relate it to their own lives for their benefit. It is also important that students are the teachers in some cases. This gives them authority, again, in the classroom and also proves they know more than they might think, making learning more fun and encouraging.

Having a clear image of what a good teacher is, is vital is actually being a good teacher. I believe that the teacher is just as much of a learner as the students, they are not above the students. I believe the teacher is a role model for students and needs to keep in mind their actions and words have a huge influence on their students. I think that the teacher has love and care for every one of their students. Some students don't get that attention anywhere else and it is important for their development. The teacher should be flexible. Being able to change the schedule or curriculum is super important. The teacher should be a friend to their students. Teachers can be more than just teachers. They have to create deeper relationships with their students in order to be trusted and in order for learning to be optimal.

My image of what a good curriculum looks like has changed tremendously throughout TCH 130. I initially thought if the curriculum hit every target for each subject it was good but it is so much more than that. Most importantly, the curriculum has to be flexible. Changing the curriculum based on the students is key. It is not fixed or the same throughout the years. It has to challenge students but not in a strict way where it's not even helpful. The curriculum also has to be collaborative with other subjects. Like I said earlier, relating subject content with each other helps students make connections and helps them relate it to their lives.

My preferred pedagogy includes hands-on teaching. Every student learns differently and it's important to show things in multiple ways, hand on being one. I think social interactions/connections with peers is important to incorporate in learning. Young adolescents are going through a lot socially during this time and incorporating that into learning will benefit them greatly. I also think appropriate discipline will keep the teaching/learning environment the best. There is a fine line between having no discipline (careless students) and being too strict (not a safe place) and it's important for every teacher to find a happy medium.

Understanding a good school climate is key in teaching. - I believe the best school environment is friendly. I believe that the best school environment develops into a community. Everyone within the school should treat others the way they want to be treated, which also is how life should go, outside of the classroom. I think schools are the best when everyone is optimistic about teaching/ learning. Good communication is also an important aspect in a school environment. Incorporating students’ families into the school environment is known to benefit students' school work. I believe the best school environment has resources and motivates people (teachers and students) as well.

Lastly, understanding the social significance of the student's learning is a really good piece to understand. I think learning provides students with the ability to make smart decisions. Learning makes students a well-rounded person of society. Learning helps students look ahead and have goals.

As you can see, having a good foundational teacher platform is super important to becoming a teacher. If you can explain the ideal schooling and everything within it, there is no way you can possibly be a part of it one day. I am really happy I have this to refer to in the future and keep my goals close in sight.