As I continue my Bachelor of Elementary Education, the most important discovery I have learned (so far) is how much learning takes place when we teach. Learning and teaching are linked and for this reason, we as individuals are constantly learning and developing. As a prospective teacher, I want students to become passionate about learning and crave new knowledge and ideas. Teaching means integrating new activities and lessons designed to promote deeper knowledge intake. This is attained through the student’s passions, interests, and creativity being utilized and encouraged. I want to create a classroom that is a center of possibilities, where students have the freedom to ask questions, create, and learn without the fear of being incorrect. I strive for a classroom that thrives in communication, knowledge consumption, and creativity.
As a prospective teacher, my goal for my future classroom is to create an environment where students crave knowledge and pursue risk-taking in their studies. People are naturally curious beings, and the traditional school system rewards students for confining with the limitations of their success. I want to foster intrinsic motivation within my classroom to elevate students’ passions, curiosity, and creativity. As an educator it is my job to model commitment and enthusiasm towards my student’s education, through inspiring their curiosity and passion, therefore, striving for active learning.
When students take control of their own learning a goal-setting drive occurs and students’ imagination is sparked and their learning becomes meaningful. Students inherently crave knowledge, yet the traditional school design lacks the ability to pursue students’ interests. Through goal-oriented projects and development, students are able to take control of their learning and become independent thinkers, elevating their curiosity and passion for knowledge.
Providing students with an embedding outdoor education brings together playfulness and real-world connections. Learning within nature engages physical activity and enriches students’ growth and curiosity about the world. We as teachers need to encourage a love for nature and share how we can change our ways for the better and help save the environment.
Indigenous pedagogies and spiritual development is an area of education I plan on fulfilling, by embedding the First Peoples Principles of Learning within all subject material. I plan on educating students towards reconciliation and welcoming Indigenous educators into our classroom.
All in all, as I continue to learn new ways of teaching and learning about education, my teaching philosophy continues to grow and develop according to the developmental needs of my future students. I want to foster a classroom around intrinsic motivation, inquiry-based learning, emotional support, and outdoor explorations. I also want to strive to reach reconciliation and encourage the First Peoples Principles of learning. My philosophy aims to encourage students’ drive, passions, and freedom, towards learning. I want to foster a sense of belonging to encourage students’ developing identities to grow, by forming community within the classroom through modeling trust and respect. My utmost goal is to create an environment where students’ learning is a priority where students are free to dream and discover and provide an environment where all students make meaningful connections.