I truly believe every student is a unique human who needs a safe environment, authentic learning opportunities, and novel experiences in which to grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally. It is my calling as a teacher to help every student see and show personal and academic growth. There are three factors that I believe are essential to establishing such an environment, 1) the teacher role is acting as a guide, 2) empowering the students to think creatively, and 3) giving the students the advantage by learning from their mistakes.
When the teacher adopts the role to be a guide, it equips students with the access to information, rather than the teacher being a provider of all knowledge. Students develop as self-advocates and see growth in self-confidence as they learn how to learn. The approach gives the students the ability to apply their skills in other scenarios and to progress in problem-solving skills. Authentic experiences are crucial to preparing a student for the real-life situations they might face. Hands on activities and real-world examples are key, as the student can practice being an important human in this world.
Equally as important as self-advocacy is having the opportunity to think creatively. For some students this could mean thinking in an artistic way, while others may think in a mathematical way. Art is one of many ways that students can express what they feel and understand. Given the opportunity for creativity, students generate meaningful work that also shows their creative side, whatever that may be. I believe I can implement art in my curriculum in a way that allows the students to express and produce with a variety of styles.
It is within my creed that I provide students an opportunity to learn from the mistakes they make. The students will understand that their mistakes are most valuable to their learning. There is also the intrinsic motivator once the student sees the growth they have made. I can provide this advantage through purposeful grading, comments, and feedback so the students have a clear understanding of how to flex for success. I see true value in evaluating one’s own work, and adjusting it in a way that makes more sense or presents full understanding. I believe that the world needs more people that can learn from their mistakes and feel confident trying new things. I am human, I make mistakes, and my students will know that it is something I embrace. In turn, it inspires me to always be better and strive for the best.