Social Studies Teacher
Baseball Coach
Philosophy of Education
Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” As a teacher, I have the opportunity to change the world through every student that enters into my classroom. Education is not just making the students memorize facts. True education is getting the students to question the world around them and to become contributing members of society. In order to accomplish this, students must be comfortable in the classroom and be given the chance to grow through the material that is presented.
It is my job as a teacher to structure the classroom so that every student is encouraged and given the opportunity to reach their maximum potential. Every class will have many types of learning styles and abilities. In order, to give all students their opportunity, the teacher must differentiate instruction methods. In my classroom, different activities focus on individual work, working in pairs, and working in groups. In order to best prepare the students for today’s workforce, it is important to use technology in the classroom. This can be done through web based assignments, which include Web Quests, web simulations, maps (Google Earth), and web-based readings and quizzes. Not only will these activities teach the material of the class, they also encourage exploration into the topic and can teach individual responsibility, teamwork, and accountability.
In my classroom, I want to motivate the students to participate. Often, students will hear about something that is happening in society, but they may not understand the entire issue. Because of this, it is important to keep the students informed about current events. Often it is easy to compare current events to something that has happened in history and the current event is a way to extend a lesson and make a historical event more relevant for the students. Most students like to be able to speak their mind in a setting where they will be listened to. Current events are also an effective way to generate discussion about society. Class discussions are extremely effective and often enjoyable for the students.
As a Social Studies teacher, it is important that students learn of past events to see how we have changed and grown as a country. Through these events the students will also learn what is expected and allowed in our society. The goal for all students, upon completion of my class, is to be an active and contributing member of society.