I used to be an English education major. I wanted to teach high school literature since I was in the 7th grade. My middle school English teacher Mrs.Paul (may she rest in peace) instilled in me a confidence in my writing and reading comprehension that never really wavered. All I wanted to do was have a job that allowed me to read, write, and inspire others. I dropped the education portion of my degree in the fall of 2014. I didn't feel like I was patient or qualified enough to handle being a teacher. That spark that I had known quickly extinguished. I'd like to share with you my teaching philosophy. I wrote this my second semester of college when I was just getting into my education courses. The purpose was to write why you wanted to become a teacher and what you hope to accomplish in that field. Years later, I look back on it and wish I could go back. I wish I could go back to encourage myself more to hold on and be patient with my path. Reading this now inspires me to go on with my education and pursue a masters in English, so that I can teach college students my love of the English language and literature. Who knows.....maybe I can be that teacher to convince a student to be patient and hold on to that spark that ignited their journey to begin with.
"As an educator, my goal is to give every student the opportunity to learn and grow in a designated field of study. As a human being, not only must I adhere to the educational aspect of my job, but I want my students to fall in love with literature and become comfortable with writing. Teaching is not only a job, but a way of life. No matter where I go, I will always hunger for the opportunity to share in my love of writing and literature with someone else.
I’ve felt in all levels of schooling, there is always someone who hates English. Whether they hate reading, writing, or the tedious attention paid to grammatical mistakes, students who hate English completely shut down to the idea of becoming involved. I was fortunate enough to never have that hatred towards that area of study, but instead I thrived in it. It’s in my opinion that no one can possibly hate English. It’s our language; how we communicate. Only those who have had bad experiences with the subject feel like they can’t achieve greatness within it. My hope above all else is to allow my students to see the beauty in writing and the magic in reading the dreams of other human beings throughout history.
Learning isn’t as simple as reading, taking notes, and being examined on what you’ve “learned.” It’s being able to demonstrate what you’ve learned years after that examination. It’s not my goal to teach students short-term information. Knowing how to write a professional letter, being able to analyze an article, and realizing that your mind is an untapped trove of ideas will get them much further than docking them letter grades for every misplaced comma or pronoun. Yes, grammar and punctuation are important; especially when typing a resume or letter to your workplace. However, being able to compose exactly what you’re thinking, and in a creative way, will capture all the right attention.
It isn’t a walk in the park to teach someone how to love reading and writing; expressly once they’ve hit high school. Teaching a subject that requires hours of dedication and hard work and expecting my students to enjoy doing it is no easy task. In order to make literature fun, writing extensive research papers is kept at a minimum. Students get more involved when they aren’t forced to sit at a computer and write a 5 page paper about a topic that they’re uninterested in. Even if they don’t find Shakespeare particularly interesting, the idea of coming up with a Shakespearian rap may strike their curiosity. The ways of teaching have changed, and I’m up for the task of evolving the learning process as well.
The classroom is not a place for silence. With the exception of quizzes and exams, my classroom is never still. Whether it is hands on activities or working with a partner, English class is a time for speech. While the school’s policy for language is always enforced, students are always encouraged to speak their mind and submit their ideas to better the class and their own learning experience. Although I am equipped with a college education, I don’t assume to know more than the students I teach. One of the most important aspects of teaching is also learning more every day.
While English literature is something everyone can learn, I understand that the ability to comprehend what’s being taught can vary to certain degrees. I am well prepared to offer any outside assistance when it comes to assignments, but I stand in firm affirmation that unless you are brought into my classroom for inclusion purposes, you simply needed longer to understand the same material. I will not, unless certain circumstances arise, give a student an assignment that is below what I feel they can accomplish. Circumstances such as a mental disability that impairs a student from functioning on the same level as kids their age will justify an alternate assignment, but only after meeting with the family and administration to make sure they were getting adequate assistance with the first assignment.
I am a teacher because I have a passion for the English language and a need to see others utilize their own powerful writing skills to their fullest capability. It’s a gift to be able to read the thoughts and ideas of young people who will go out into the world and do something amazing. When they become famous authors or doctors or lawyers, I can think to myself, “I was there when it all began. I was one of the people who set up the foundation for greatness.” I teach because I couldn’t find a greater happiness in any other field"
