The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for students.
I very much consider myself an "English person." For that reason, I decided to go beyond the education requirement of getting a concentration in intended teaching area and instead get a major in English. The grades I achieved in my courses can attest to my love of the subject. I also pride myself on being well read; at the same time, I have so many more writers that I intend to read throughout my life and I am not sure how far I will get through the list in my head.
A major part of my teaching philosophy consists of having a vast content knowledge and being enthusiastic about that content knowledge. I have tried in my student teaching to put this philosophy into action, and I have received many positive comments from students and from my cooperating teacher that I have succeeded at this goal. My students know that I am a "nerd," and I know that the nerdy enthusiasm that I bring to the classroom helps my students to perhaps get as excited about English as I am.
Here is a list of my courses taken to fulfill my English major at Villanova University. My grades achieved are also on this list.
Also please find a document from my supervising professor where she discusses my knowledge of the content I am teaching under the section titled "Planning and Preparation."
Author:
Jill Kingsland
Last modified:
6/19/2005 1:23 PM (EDT)
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