My teaching philosophy is that students need to be held to high standards and expectations for academic performance and behavior. Students internalize our perceptions of them. If we do not think of our students as capable of succeeding, then our students do not see themselves as intelligent human beings.
I used to work at a nonprofit school for high school dropouts. My students were 18-24 years old, and many of them entered the program reading at fourth or fifth grade levels. These students were never pushed to excel, despite the fact that they had numerous strengths and were quite creative. They had low confidence and no faith. They had fixed mindsets. Once they began our program, however, they started to thrive. It's because the school was committed to excellence, and because the students were given the message that, with effort, they could improve. It was incredible to watch.
Many teachers enter the classroom with the perception that certain students are "bad", and not worthy of being given time, effort, and rigorous instruction. It's like the system has already decided who is going to succeed and have future opportunities, and who is not. Our schools often see deficits and not assets. We need to change our attitudes about and toward students if we want them to flourish. We need to teach them to have growth mindsets. We need to show them that being open-minded and having a positive attitude are key components of learning. Every student deserves a high quality education, and to be taught by instructors who believe in their abilities.
I do not allow my students to fall behind. I push them forward even when they want to quit. When I was in high school, we had to run a mile in under seven minutes in order to make the varsity soccer team. It wasn't easy. Many of us struggled. When I lost confidence and wanted to give up, the coach ran behind me, pushing me forward and whispering words of encouragement in my ear. She did the same for all the other girls on the team. That kind of support is necessary. Without it, many of us would fail. That's the kind of teacher I strive to be. The one who runs behind the students, picks them up when they stumble, and encourages them to keep going.
I also aim to be a reflective educator. Teaching is a craft that can be improved upon through research, study, discussion, and practice. The following resources inspire me, and remind me that I am not alone on my journey to become a better teacher.