From a young age, I never had a doubt I’d one day be a teacher. I have always been fascinated by children and their learning capabilities. Because I am fortunate enough to come from a large family, I have had many informal opportunities to witness the miracle of their discoveries. I want to use my passion for helping others by channeling it into a profession.
I close my eyes and envision my classroom as a place the children love to be. The inviting environment pleases them and their parents. There is no anxiety or fear, no worries or insecurities—just happiness and an eagerness to learn. The parents will feel comfortable communicating with me and I with them. There is nothing more important for children than the love and support of parents and teachers.
The classroom should be alive with colors and decorations that are student-made and student-friendly. The walls are an interactive canvas filled with informal ways to learn and display work. The students’ interactions should be positive and natural, because their expectations will be clear. Those expectations will be put in place from the start, to ensure a constructive beginning to the year.
The time schedule should not be too tedious. A set schedule is necessary because it creates an air of comfort, but needs room for adjustment due to the fact that the teaching profession as a whole is centered on flexibility. A little spontaneity shakes the day up a bit and makes the activity more attention-grabbing.
The activities in which they engage during this schedule will promote their cognitive, social-emotional, language, and physical developments. I will plan for a variety of materials so the children have the ability to make choices. When they are in control of certain aspects of their education, they will become more invested. I do not want them to become bored or disinterested with the choices of activities; they require a proper amount of stimulation to promote development.
I will teach my students in various ways in order to support their different intelligences. Through the use of facilitation grids and informal assessments, I will be able to group them according to their needs to make their learning more effective and meaningful. Although aware of the fact that their abilities will differ greatly, I will find a way to reach each student to avoid frustration.
Class discussions and informal conversations should be common throughout their periods of discovery and amazement. As the year progresses, I hope to see a vast improvement in the way in which each child conveys his or her ideas to the class. In this way, the children are not only learning from my guidance, but also from their fellow classmates. I plan to set aside times in which they can talk with me privately. Since every child will not be comfortable speaking to the entire class, I can reach more students effectively.
My classroom is one in which learning is natural and considered life-long. I strive to be someone who can provide a level of guidance and support, while still being a role model with an insatiable need for knowledge. Exercising my knowledge of children and their development is essential, but I will still be open to new ideas from parents, colleagues, or administrators. Looking toward the future, I see my teaching improving with each and every lesson.
