When I first thought about becoming a teacher, I initially wondered what I might teach. I love history and I understand, and as an adult I now appreciate, the importance that history plays in shaping the future. I also thought about math since I actually enjoyed it and it is currently in demand. Finally, I thought about business education. I feel that my 10 years experience in the banking industry combined with the last 5 years in management better suited me to teach Business Education. As a teacher I want to teach the students about business and prepare them to enter the work force after high school if college is not their next step. There are so many life lessons taught in the business education classes that prepare the students how to be successful and prepared citizens in the world after high school. I want my students to be equipped with the knowledge and be able to apply for jobs and career opportunities in the business world, to be able to create a resume, submit an application, dress for success, have a successful interview, know the proper follow up. I also want them to know how to do their assigned tasks and jobs using today’s technology such as Microsoft office software. One thing I feel passionate about is making sure they know how to open a checking and savings account, how they each work, and prepare my students how to handle money. I want them to know how to make money and what to do with the money they made.
I plan to use a variety of teaching strategies and methods to keep my students from becoming bored and to keep the information the focal point of the lesson. I enjoyed the jig saw strategy and I know that will be a great way to explore a lot of information in business. There is often a lot of material to cover and what I like most about the jig saw is that it allows peers to teach peers and everyone is included, no matter the learning situation. Another strategy I really liked and plan to use is the student created electronic picture book and the student authored electronic book. After going over class materials the students then create a Power point slideshow including pictures and information about their lessons materials and share with their peers. This strategy can be used for any content area on any lesson. I enjoy the hands on activities and this will be perfect to prepare students how to use the software in the business setting as well.
I will also use a variety of technology in my classroom. Technology is not simply a part of our lives, it is essential to our lives. We plan, communicate, socialize, learn, and teach with technology. You cannot sufficiently teach anything without the use of technology to today’s students. They are the tech generation and have grown up with this. I will incorporate several forms of technology into my classroom through use of ipad apps, you tube videos, elmo, smart board to name a few. I am an informator through the use of these items and will strive to continue to be on the cutting edge of new technology.
My grading will be based upon criterion. Many examples are correct, not just one or a select few to base everyone else too. One example I would use in my grading would be assignments based on templates. Another important tool in grading will be the use of rubrics for different assignments. I will provide my students with clear expectations, instructions, and grading requirements for each assignment so that they can follow when creating those assignments. I will incorporate many projects and different activities that allow the students to demonstrate their understanding of the material. I will utilize written tests, but I feel a majority of my assessments will be in project or peer presentation format.
Improvement on my teaching style will be constant; I believe we learn new things every day. As I learn more about my students personally, as I learn how to better communicate with that age group, as I learn better about my teaching styles I will be ever evolving into a better teacher. I realize that I have focused on myself and what I will learn and I think that is the key to improving as a teacher. I can only improve after looking at my faults and short comings. I hope that my students will care enough to share thoughts or ideas about how they feel I am communicating and teaching them and what I could do to improve or increase the effectiveness I have on them. I believe skills can be improved upon daily and certainly through useful teacher workshops and events. However, I think that communication between me and my students will be the most effective tool to directly help me improve as a teacher. I am not sure if we will know immediately if our teaching is truly effective or not. That may be something not known ever or until much later when a student takes the time to share the impact and importance we may have made at a certain point in time.
My teaching philosophy is that of Idealism and Recontructivism. My goal is for each student to be able to clearly identify their goals & priorities and I believe that it is going to take some changes to make that a reality. Teaching is important to me and exciting because hopefully I will have an impact and possibly improve the future of the next generation. My own children are starting school and I am more excited and determined to make a difference because of my own children and the impact they have made on my life. My Christian beliefs will enable me to maintain positive relationships with students and colleagues. I believe in the “golden rule” and will treat everyone fair and equal with respect and certainly as I want to be treated. I’m not saying I will teach the students my beliefs, but my beliefs will shape my actions. They will be able to know who I am by what I do.
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