Thoughts on Teaching & Learning
by
Kathy Mellor
How would you describe your philosophy of teaching?
I feel that all children can learn a lot, but not necessarily in the same way or in the same time frame. Some need a different approach or more exposure. I believe the teaching environment must be conducive to learning. It is our job as educators to see that it is. I strongly believe that teachers are responsible for every child enrolled in their classroom and must act as their advocate. However, teaching reaches far beyond the confines of the classroom or the curriculum.
Academically, teaching is the challenge of maximizing student growth regardless of ability level or previous achievement. It requires us to be responsible for and responsive to every child in the classroom. To be effective, to give purpose and direction to instruction, teaching must begin where the students are and with a clear sight of where they are going afterwards. I believe that my achievement as a teacher is directly related to the success and achievement of my students. Effective teaching establishes goals and expectations that are clear, consistent and attainable. In that way, students exit with a greater appetite for learning and discovery than when they entered.
So much of becoming an outstanding teacher evolves over time by observing others and learning from different teaching experiences and people in the field. I am very fortunate to work in excellent schools in an excellent district where teamwork is encouraged and fostered. Our ESL team itself, although assigned to different schools, is made up of very dedicated, knowledgeable, hard-working teachers who work together to support each other in all our efforts in different buildings. Within our own schools, the students' mainstream teacher and ESL teacher must function as a team, fully sharing responsibility for the students we have in common. We need each other's expertise and the students need us to work toward the same goals, reinforcing each other's efforts on behalf of the students. I work very hard to create communication channels characterized by our sharing ideas, knowledge, and experience openly and freely with each other. Although I am confident about my teaching style, I appreciate my colleagues' abilities and styles that differ from my own.
On a personal level, I embrace innovation, yet remain loyal to methods that have proven effective for me over the years. I make the best of whatever situation I am in, but strive to improve it. I advocate fiercely, but diplomatically for what I believe is best for my students and their families. I have learned the place of humor in many situations and kindness in all. I make a tremendous effort to be respectful of my students, their families, my colleagues, staff and administrators. I realize that we all make mistakes in the process. Even in the most difficult situations, I trust the process and try to instill that trust in my students.
I am ever mindful to put myself in the role of the student, their parents and other teachers in order to see things from their perspective. My families have entrusted me with their children, so I strive to live up to that trust. I have learned to question what I do to try to improve. A strong reward system is embedded in my classroom to reinforce important behaviors. I try to model all that I expect from my students, who know that they are there to work, to learn and that mistakes are an acceptable part of the process. I do my best and encourage each and every student to do the same. However, the key ingredient in my success as a teacher has been working as part of effective teams within schools, within my field of ESL and within the district. It is amazing how much more can be accomplished when we work together.
What do you do to create a highly effective learning environment?
My beliefs about teaching and learning are demonstrated in my eclectic teaching style, which incorporates more traditional teacher-directed instruction, with holistic, student-centered activities and grading rubrics. For me, this merger addresses the wide range of backgrounds, abilities, skills and learning styles of my students. It allows each individual student to meet standards and to work at their own comfort level at their own pace. It gives them ownership in their learning.
However, my teaching style is more than pedagogy. From the beginning, I welcome students into a classroom that has high standards and is peaceful, productive and safe. Creating an atmosphere where they can be themselves validates who they are, where they have come from, and how much they can accomplish. I explain what my job is as a teacher, as well as how crucial it is for them to do their job as good students, and try to take every child at face value. I acknowledge all their efforts and am careful not to dismiss anything they offer. My goal is to encourage them to feel worthwhile and secure in their attempts so that they will buy into the learning process, develop confidence in themselves as students and become responsible for their own learning. Demonstrating that the learning is meaningful and practical gives the students incentive and purpose. I assure them that they well be provided ample opportunity and time to develop the skills and abilities necessary to do well.
Over time, the skills do develop and improve. As this occurs, the work becomes self-rewarding for the students. For some it becomes so rewarding that it becomes self-perpetuating. Always a major consideration is where my students are going after their time with me, in addition to what we must do together to get there.
