Teaching Philosophy

I dug this out from my files having decided to rewrite it. I am pleased to say that I still agree with what I wrote wholeheartedly and could hardly change a word. I think that's a good sign.

I believe in the power of education to shape the young individual. It is a privilege to help young people access and understand the world around them. All students should be encouraged to develop and discover themselves through a positive and productive school experience, irrelevant of their background, race or gender.

It is important to create a positive learning experience for all students. Lessons should be engaging and include a range of activities, using ICT and group work to enhance the learning adventure. In my classes, a question is as good as a comment and students are encouraged to discuss and debate their opinions openly. Students must be encouraged to be inquisitive, take risks and and take the responsibility for their own learning through problem-based activities and self-assessment.

To ensure this can occur, I believe it is necessary to establish a positive and stable environment where all the students feel valued and are encouraged to contribute and express themselves. This is achieved by creating a calm and focused classroom with clear expectations and learning routines that the students can rely on. Lessons should be set to clear learning objectives with measurable outcomes to enable all students to be successful.

Success in education cannot be seen solely as success in passing exams. Students must be given the opportunity to experience a range of cultures, arts and sports in order to discover their own passions and dislikes too. Schools must work hard to provide a range of academic and extra-curricular activities that meet their pupils’ needs.

As a teacher you are responsible for the future of the young people in your care; it is your job to help them discover the skills, character and confidence they need to successfully access the adult world.