Teaching Philosophy

 

 I

 

Unit: Process

Theme: Teaching Philosophy

Introduction

Effective Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) approaches often incorporate four elements represented by the acronym SAFE: sequenced, active, focused, explicit. These elements correlate with the ideas that make  a classroom safe and creative. Today we will take those ideas into consideration when articulating your teaching philosophy statement.

II

Learning Objectives

 

•  Understand what makes a learning process task oriented or relationship oriented
• Explain the meaning of the teaching philosophy statement
  
• Gain an awareness of the role the teaching philosophy statement has in education
• Experience how the Teaching philosophy works in a real classroom environment

III

Main Lesson

1

Task Oriented vs. Relationship Oriented

The Sweet Spot

Finding the Balance

2

Social & Emotional Learning

SEL in the Classroom

Effective SEL approaches often incorporate four elements represented by the acronym SAFE:

• SEQUENCED: Connected and coordinated activities to foster skills development
• ACTIVE: Employing active forms of learning to help students strengthen new skills
• FOCUSED: Dedicated time and attention to developing personal and social skills
• EXPLICIT: Targeting specific social and emotional skills

3

 

 Group Work

Using the SEL approaches (above) as a reference, match the elements with the safe tips (we covered last class) that apply.

LINK: 20 Tips for Creating a Safe Learning Environment

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/20-tips-create-safe-learning-environment-rebecca-alber

 4

 

 

Teaching Philosophy

 

QUESTION 1

After watching this video, discuss the meaning of the teaching philosophy when the focus is a process oriented approach to learning through the arts. 

 

 

 

 

5

Task Oriented Arts Education vs. Relationship Oriented Arts Learning

 

Question 2

What makes a learning process task oriented or relationship oriented is the intention of  the teacher.

 IV

A Note to Remember

The teaching philosophy is a written statement of the educator's general personal views on teaching. The philosophy statement often attempts to express what methods of teaching the teacher practices. 

 

V

Case Study

Frank Avella, the narrator in the video below, is a Google Certified Trainer, and a Master Teacher in K-12 Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and various Test Prep Courses. Avella has lots of experience in the field of education as both a teacher and an instructional trainer. He conducts professional development training all throughout the United States. Some of Avellas's training includes G-Suite, classroom management, the flipped classroom, and more.

Teachings in Education, the platform hosting Avella's videos, offers training, professional development, and researched-based strategies for educators.

 

VI

Activity 1

Define in your own words your own teaching philosophy.

 

Get in your groups and design a poster with your teaching philosophy as a group following the example below from Marc Berger's teaching portfolio.

VII

Glossary

 

VIII

Journaling 

IX

Sources

Fran Avella.  https://www.udemy.com/user/frank-avella/

Teaching Philosophy Examples.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZHPl2SaFGA

 Marc Berger. https://marcbergerportfolio.wordpress.com/teaching-philosophy/

 

X

 Students' Work

1

 

Caro Mojena

Teaching Philosophy

My teaching philosophy is to teach in a loving, and caring manner. I tend to be stern most of the time so the level of respect is given and taken but I tend to also be compassionate and motherly. Very opening and caring to my students which creates a safe place for them to learn it and makes them feel good about themselves. I like to start off the class with positive words of affirmations of a single question passed around the room to check up on them and reassure them that I care about their feelings and about thems as a person. I also make sure to have patience myself, and be understanding. Never assume but ask. I want them to love dance and to love their bodies and to know that it is a process not a day to day result. I want them to continue dancing not as a "workout" but a way to cope and express emotions.

2

 

Maddie Fine

My teaching philosophy

As a teacher, I want to create an environment that is both fun/exciting but also a place of growth. I want to develop personal relationships with each child so everyone feels included but it is also important to make sure I create a barrier for the students to know their limits. As someone who teaches dance right now, I believe that I do have many special connections with the children I teach but I am also able to teach them without that relationship getting in the way. The students understand their limits so that when it comes time to get to work it is easy to get the student's attention and teach them what needs to be taught that day. I would love for the students to improve as much as possible in each class and progress throughout the year. Lastly, creating a safe space for students to be who they are and express what they are feeling is super important to me. 

3

Paola Padron

Statement of Philosophy

My goal as a dance teacher is to create learning opportunities that reinvigorate the excitement for movement for my students and myself during every class. I wish to allow dance to shape who my students are, how they relate to others, and how they perceive the world around them. In order to achieve this, I hope to create a comfortable environment for my students to express themselves freely. 

Why I Teach:

- I hope to serve as a mentor and coach, encourage lifelong learning, and show that creativty and fun are parts of learning.

What I Teach:

- I hope to teach my students responsibility and accountability, critical and creative thinking, and the importance of communication.

How I Teach:

- I hope to actively engage students by using multiple instructional strategies.

How I Measure My Effectiveness:

- I measure my teaching effectiveness by seeking the advice and feedback by communicating with students and parents.

4

Nonii Randall 

Teaching Philosophy

I believe that teaching is also a learning process; learning about each student, their needs, their strengths, their challenges, their desires. As an educator, I am responsible for their development as a dancer, and as a person. I believe in task oriented learning for this specific area of study because through repetition of activities develops a comfort and eventually a curiosity for something more. My job is to get students to that space of comfort and then encourage them and support them to push boundaries into areas that aren't as comfortable to them, or to styles/concepts that are foreign to them. My responsibility is to nurse their curiosity and provide resources and a safe space for them to indulge and explore their creativity and the artistic themes that pique their interests. I want to ask them questions that challenge them to think outside of their own personal box of creativity and branch out into movement and expression they never imagined participating in. I want my students to learn to love their bodies and respect their environment, projecting confidence in their creations and their leadership ability.

 

5

 

Calleigh Kosman

Philosophy

After watching this video it would be how there a teacher has to find a personal way to teach, the attitude that you bring, because each student is a different audience. Along with the fact that it gives the teacher the guide and building relationships with the children. The dance students should have a positive and loving environment to learn in. 

6

Gema Leiva Cerna

I believe that teaching is a two way street. My students will learn and so will I. Though what we are learning may differ, we are all growing and acquiring knowledge. As a teacher I believe the environment is key to a student being receptive to learning and schooling. If the student feels safe, they are likely to be engaged and motivated to succeed. The environment will also enhance my teaching capabilities. To me, being a teacher is also acting as a support system for the students and their social-emotional needs. Students come from different backgrounds and have distinct lived experiences, so it is important to have an understanding of these factors as well. That way, in teaching, the student does not only become more knowledgeable, but also more self aware and skillful when it comes to expression and communication.

7

Gabrielle Harris

I believe that education is a child's first introduction to the world and all that I can offer it and it is my honor to be the person that introduces them to it. I teach to inspire and show students that success is subjective and that their dreams, goals, and aspirations are always achievable because the world is too complex to limit yourself. I teach to mentor and show students that there will always be someone in their corner who will encourage and cheer them on through all of their endeavors. I am the person who shows children the many things that their future can offer them if they work hard and believe in themselves which can only be achieved if I do my job as a teacher. I am not a punisher, but a problem solver who seeks to find the root problem of any behavioral or class issues because I do not believe that any student or child is inherently bad. I believe that all students deserve access to education and the success that comes after it.

8

Julianna Mullinax

I will create a safe and encouraging environment for my students to learn. I will teach them the dance skills that they need to learn, but in a loving way. I want my students to have fun while they grow their knowledge. I want them to want to come to class. I want them to want to learn. I want them to feel safe in my classroom to take risks and to be themselves. I don't want them to just see me as their teacher, but also as a mentor and someone that they can look up to and trust. 

 

9

 Kayla Hollman

I teach to encourage students to find passion in what they are learning and to teach them new perspectives.I hope that they will learn about expression through movement through engaging open discussions as well as improvisation and choreographed combinations.I will measure my effectiveness through student feedback as well as student progression, I will be proud if I am able to see improvement from where the student started to where they are at the end of the program.Hopefully my students will continue to use dance and the arts as a way to express themselves in the future.

10

Krystelle Emogene

My philosophy statement is that I want to teach dance in a way that's fun for the students while getting to know them. I want them to feel comfortable and safe. I want to come to class and release any burden they may have from their other obligations that feels challenging for them. I think in order to teach dance you need to connect with the student and body to really experience that true feeling of loving one's self. 

 

11

Dibe de Gregorio

 My teaching philosophy is to focus on respect and learning through experiential learning. Learning will occur through the use of different solo and group projects where one has to push yourself outside your comfort zone. Each day a new set of skills will be taught and improved so at the end of the course the students are more proficient in dance than they were before. Through mutual respect, a space space for exploration of movement and trying new things will be made to allow for the experiential learning to take place. The key factors are to try your hardest and be willing to try everything even if you fail at first. It is through failing and practice that we learn so the students should not be scared to try new things just because they may fail at first. Overall, the students will grow from their experiences and grow emotionally, as dancers, and as people.    

 

12

Okera Hastings

I want to create an atmosphere where students believe they can meet their potential in dance. I want to establish that everyone is different and so they may thrive at different things or techniques. This means students shouldn’t compare themselves to each other; I want to create an environment (?) and affirm my students into believing this to be true.

 13

Mickey Carton

My thoughts when it comes to teaching is you want to creative a positive environment that students look forward to rather than dread. For dance this may mean selecting songs that students enjoy to hear or taking note of which activities resonate with them. Students often have a short attention span so if you keep it fun and exciting while having them practice respect you can creative a really fun and great environment for them. Teachers have to listen just as much as the students in order to harness a relationship that feels like there are no superiors but the students still want to listen to what they are being told without feeling like it's a chore and not going to teach them anything meaningful.

14

Laralyn Jackson

My personal teaching philosophy is making sure I am creating a safe place for students. My group is focusing on special education. It is very important to have patience and to keep calm. It is important for me as a teacher to come clear- minded as well. Bringing outside conflict & baggage into the classroom can conflict with everyone’s experience. In life, everyone is going through something. I hope to provide an outlet to release negative thoughts and engage in a healthy atmosphere for my students. I also hope that the skills taught in the course resonates way after the class ends & that students learn how to re-frame their thinking when things don’t go their way and they get overwhelmed, they know they can turn to dance to be their safe space.