I believe that every child is a unique individual who needs a secure atmosphere to mature emotionally, intellectually and socially. It is my highest priority as an educator to help guide students to meet their fullest potential in those areas by providing a classroom atmosphere that supports risk taking, invites the exchange of ideas and safe. There are three elements that will help contribute to constructing such an environment; (1) allowing the child’s natural curiosity to direct the flow of the classroom, (2) the teacher acting as an escort, and (3) promoting respect and courtesy to their fellow peers and classmates.

            When the teacher’s role is to guide students, by providing access to information rather than being the fountainhead of knowledge, the students’ search and curiosity is met when they find the answers to their own questions. By simply providing access, letting them know where to discover the answers and help them in search of their questions, that is where the true learning takes place; not by merely being the “know-it-all”. Providing students with hands-on activities, Socratic based lectures and allowing adequate time and space to use the necessary materials that reinforce the lesson being studied creates an opportunity to discover their own answers, and help construct future knowledge.

             Equally important to self-discovery, is the use of other students’ knowledge, ideas, and thoughts to generate a classroom environment that is interesting and thought provoking. When the students dictate the flow of the class, and the direction of the lesson that’s when learning is both fun and invigorating to the lesson being studied. When the students both learn and understand the different perspectives of their peers do they really comprehend the many ways to interpret information. Socratic seminars, and student centered lectures are key, and an integral part of any class. When the voice of each student is heard, the environment evolves where the students feel more comfortable to express their feelings and ideas. 

            Along with the open expression within the class, creates a deep respect for their peers their convictions, ideas and knowledge. This classroom atmosphere that is being developed is one where the students respect their peers, no matter what their way of thinking may be, to let them speak freely and without ridicule.

            For myself, however, teaching is provides an opportunity to continue my learning and maturation as an educator. One of my goals as I proceed with aspirations of being a teacher is to instill a love and respect for learning in all my students as I share my own passion of learning with them. I feel there is a growing need for intelligent, compassionate, and dedicated individuals needed to work with students, and guide them in their own maturations of both knowledge and themselves as individuals. In such a competitive world, it is essential that students receive the best education they can, but also have the pleasure to work alongside with someone who is sensitive to their own individual needs. I am such a person and will always strive to be the best educator I can be, and will always aspire to instill the love of learning onto my students.