Reflection on Becoming an Educator
April 2012
At the beginning of the semester I believed that every child should be given the same educational opportunities, and therefore be taught using similar means. I have come to understand that this viewpoint is flawed through further examination within class readings, lectures, and my service-learning experiences. I now know that each student has a unique set of characteristics, learning styles, interests, and family ties that influence their classroom situation. Calvin's Teacher Education Program describes a Christian educator as someone who, "respect(s) points of view that differ from their own" as well as one who "celebrate(s) diversity among their students as part of God's plan for creation." The only possible way to make the classroom experience equal is to examine each student and their point of view, celebrate their diversity and gifts, as well as their strengths and weaknesses, and determine how these will shape the way they learn.
As teachers we are inclined to teach in a way that fits within our worldview, this however can lead to us teaching in this style to every student, even those who may have a differing outlook from our own. Calvin's Teacher Education Program vision states that educators should be “committed to transforming educational practices and structures that inhibit equity and justice." As a teacher I will educate my students in a way that is catered to their needs, even if that particular style is out of my comfort zone. I will embrace the things that make each student unique in order to create a just and equal learning environment that accommodates for individual needs.
Through this class I have also come to better understand how family ties and peer groups both influence a child's education greatly. These are not things that I can necessary change directly, but that I can better understand and recognize in order to accommodate the learners in my future classroom. Calvin's program acknowledges how we must change our assumptions about learners when we come across new knowledge or understanding. Peer and family influence both directly affect a child's learning, but I realize it will be natural to assume that either of these is stable and not having an affect on the students while in the classroom. Through this education class I have come to recognize that many students come from blended families or lower social-economic levels that influence the communication, parenting style, and amount of educational background they have prior to school. As I am developing into an educator, I should not assume that every student comes from a stable family life, has an encouraging group of friends, or has come into school with certain knowledge. I now realize that I must constantly change the outlook I have of my students to match new understandings and needs, rather than rest on my assumptions.
Looking further into peer acceptance, I will do my best as an educator to nurture an encouraging and inclusive classroom environment for all of my students. Through classroom lectures I have learned that a student's peer group and acceptance has a significant influence on their learning. Knowing this, I will strive to create a positive and accepting classroom community that involves peer interaction, multiculturalism, as well as highlights a variety of each student's strengths. Calvin's Teacher Education Program focuses on showcasing diversity within our classrooms as well as respecting the opinions of others. As a teacher it is important for me to realize that my commitment to respect and show justice to each student will be magnified throughout the classroom, therefore having the possibility to encourage my students to similar practices of kindness with their own peers.
At the beginning of the semester I believed that every child should be given the same educational opportunities, and therefore be taught using similar means. I have come to understand that this viewpoint is flawed through further examination within class readings, lectures, and my service-learning experiences. I now know that each student has a unique set of characteristics, learning styles, interests, and family ties that influence their classroom situation. Calvin's Teacher Education Program describes a Christian educator as someone who, "respect(s) points of view that differ from their own" as well as one who "celebrate(s) diversity among their students as part of God's plan for creation." The only possible way to make the classroom experience equal is to examine each student and their point of view, celebrate their diversity and gifts, as well as their strengths and weaknesses, and determine how these will shape the way they learn.
As teachers we are inclined to teach in a way that fits within our worldview, this however can lead to us teaching in this style to every student, even those who may have a differing outlook from our own. Calvin's Teacher Education Program vision states that educators should be “committed to transforming educational practices and structures that inhibit equity and justice." As a teacher I will educate my students in a way that is catered to their needs, even if that particular style is out of my comfort zone. I will embrace the things that make each student unique in order to create a just and equal learning environment that accommodates for individual needs.
Through this class I have also come to better understand how family ties and peer groups both influence a child's education greatly. These are not things that I can necessary change directly, but that I can better understand and recognize in order to accommodate the learners in my future classroom. Calvin's program acknowledges how we must change our assumptions about learners when we come across new knowledge or understanding. Peer and family influence both directly affect a child's learning, but I realize it will be natural to assume that either of these is stable and not having an affect on the students while in the classroom. Through this education class I have come to recognize that many students come from blended families or lower social-economic levels that influence the communication, parenting style, and amount of educational background they have prior to school. As I am developing into an educator, I should not assume that every student comes from a stable family life, has an encouraging group of friends, or has come into school with certain knowledge. I now realize that I must constantly change the outlook I have of my students to match new understandings and needs, rather than rest on my assumptions.
Looking further into peer acceptance, I will do my best as an educator to nurture an encouraging and inclusive classroom environment for all of my students. Through classroom lectures I have learned that a student's peer group and acceptance has a significant influence on their learning. Knowing this, I will strive to create a positive and accepting classroom community that involves peer interaction, multiculturalism, as well as highlights a variety of each student's strengths. Calvin's Teacher Education Program focuses on showcasing diversity within our classrooms as well as respecting the opinions of others. As a teacher it is important for me to realize that my commitment to respect and show justice to each student will be magnified throughout the classroom, therefore having the possibility to encourage my students to similar practices of kindness with their own peers.