A Teacher Holds the Key to Knowledge, Success, and Fun

A Teacher Holds the Key to Knowledge, Success, and Fun

The greatest gift a teacher can give students is a positive learning

experience that lasts a lifetime. An outstanding teacher is a good role model, fair,

consistent, and open to new ideas. A good teacher can motivate and entertain

without students realizing the learning process it taking place. It is a great

achievement for a teacher to see the “light bulb” come on over a student’s head

when he/she understand a problem or can figure out an equation. To see a child

accomplish a task is most satisfying and rewarding.

A teacher holds the key to knowledge, success, and fun. Every child deserves a teacher that understands and accommodates different

ability levels of each student. It is very difficult to pinpoint a specific method of

teaching because so many styles and techniques are successful. Incorporating

different methods may be effective.

I have been a substitute teacher for two years and this experience has

brought great insight for future reference. I feel that all students can and must

learn according to their ability. I want to be a teacher who influences each

student in a positive way and display strong ethics in order to encourage

appropriate behavior and respect. A teacher’s personal ethics influence their

teaching method. With regard to teaching methods, I share certain views from

Rousseau. Children are born with a blank slate and are not good or bad by nature.

These characteristics are not determined at birth but are learned behavior. Young

children entering elementary school are excited and open to learn. It is the

teachers’ task to keep the creativeness and attention of each student. Basically,

children want to learn.

I also tend to hold the attitude of Essentialism toward educational

philosophies. I believe the curriculum of the schools should be subject-centered.

Students learning should be centered on the basic subjects such as reading,

writing, history, math, and science. I feel strongly about reading because if a child

is a good strong reader, other subjects seem to be absorbed more easily. I lean

toward behaviorism regarding discipline. I agree the reward system, establishing

rules, and monitoring events are excellent ways to teach responsibility and instill

moral values. I think a good teacher can incorporate all different “beliefs” and

identify what works and what doesn’t.

The lessons students learn in kindergarten are basic skills and remain with

them for the rest of their lives.