ryan bezanson, jenelle hutnik, jodi pitts spu edu 6120
TRANSCRIPT
Ryan Bezanson, Jenelle Hutnik, Jodi Pitts
SPU EDU 6120
Foundational Beliefs About Education
Money? … NOAn easy, laid back job? …NO“Summer’s off” …Definitely NOT!
Teachers teach…To give hopeTo inspire change,To ease the challenges faced by children with
differencesTo continue a legacy lived before usTo honor the life path He chose for usTo support those that cannot do for themselves
Why Teach?
Good teachers:Build trust by respecting culture & life
experiencesInspire a love of learningInstill a desire to be a morally bound citizenListen to the needs of students & familiesNurture the need for purposeCreate a safe, caring environment in & out of
the classroomSeek to create a delicate balance of teaching &
learning
Qualities of a Good Teacher
An environment that…
• encourages intellectual challenges • develops a culture of exploration, inquiry & thought • offers a climate of passion & excitement for learning • creates fair, firm, consistent, predictable, logical
expectations• supports freedom • builds trust between teacher & peers
As Ellis outlined, “…the primary issue in classroom life is trust. When teachers trust their students, a different kind of environment emerges, one in which there is far more freedom accorded the individual to initiate, choose, pursue, and reflect upon his/her learning.” (Ellis, 2001, p. 55)
What do Students Really Need?
Demands of education make it difficult for students to have a voice
Students with special needs have a more difficult time letting their voice be heard
We have to individualize learning, and teaching to meet the needs of all of our students
We have to help each of our students find “consciousness”
“Consciousness” allows students the opportunity to experience new dimensions of creativity, initiative, cooperation, caring, and academic excellence
Honoring Students Voices
Encourages intellectual challengesDevelop a culture of exploration, inquiry &
thoughtOffer classroom management that is predictable
and logical to the studentsResult in teachers who trust their studentsHave the element of reflection built into the daily
routineEstablish predictable routine and behavioral
expectation
A Positive Learning Experience and a Good Teacher
“A good classroom is clean with fun stuff that helps you learn a lot.” –Chloe
“Our class has a great teacher that let’s us do really fun junk while we learn about the bats.” - Evan
“A great classroom doesn’t have gunk or junk. It has teachers to help you learn and not yell when you are as right as Dr. Seuss (who gets mixed up sometimes).” - Kyler
“Good classrooms have fun teachers like you know “Mrs. D.” that helps you when you get stuck.” – Miranda
“A good classroom is like something that is as happy as a puppy.” - Maggy
A Good Classroom Looks & Feels Like…
How to develop a reflective practice
Establish reflection techniques as part of the lesson“I learned”, “Search for meaning”, “Clear & Unclear” prompts“Turn to a friend and share…”
Develop rubrics enabling students to rate themselves Provide time for discussion
Must be a conscious, planned effort Reflection done by both teacher & student
“You can have experience without reflection, but you can’t have reflection without experience.” - Maria Jacobson (Ellis, 2001, p.11).
Reflective Practice
Classrooms Become Reflective When Good Teachers:
Link past learning to current teachingConnect learning to student interests and
motivationsExpectations are clearDeepen the understanding of subject matterUse daily reflection to make changes, determine
pace, and provide meaningful feedback to studentsUse self-reflection to determine if student needs
have been met
A safe environment where students can be individuals
Teaching to individual needs of studentsA teacher who is reflective in practice and willing
to make a change for successSlowly teaching independence to be able to
become functioning citizens Connection with families, and giving them the
resources they need
What is Meaningful in Student Learning?
We can change our student’s livesWe can give them skills that they will use for
the rest of their livesWe can make learning meaningful with a
purpose for the “real world”
“The self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous formation through choice of action.”
~John Dewey
Developing Tomorrow’s Citizens
Canestrari, A.S., & Marlowe, B.A. (2004). Educational Foundations: An Anthology of Critical Readings.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.Ellis, A.K. (2001). Teaching, Learning, &
Assessment Together. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education, Inc.
Reference List