Shailan

A teacher who believes that there is potential in all!

Teaching has been the most rewarding aspect of my career. Without a doubt, I consider the success I have enjoyed in the classroom to be my single greatest contribution to the schools I have taught around Hong Kong. Teaching energizes me and I strive to share my love of teaching and of my discipline with my students.

All students are individual and everyone learns in their own unique way. I use multiple methods of teaching (linguistic, visual, auditory, kinesthetic) to reach students, so that no one is left behind. In order to effectively assess students’ wants and needs, I believe a teacher must first understand her students and where they’re coming from. The teacher must be the first to open the doors of good communication, as not all students and parents will show that initiative. She must also be willing to communicate her own expectations to the class; having a sincere attitude toward her students and showing a concern for both their classwork and their lives is important when doing this. When both the teacher and students understand each other’s goals and points of view, the building blocks of mutual respect are developed. Thus, I understand the importance of building a support network for students between school and home, and may have to be the first to initiate that teamwork.

Classroom organization is also a key concept to consider when I teach. If students are in a classroom that is unorganized or set up in a way which hinders learning, it is not a good situation for anyone. I need to find creative, new ways to have the room set up and to help my students learn. I also believe in teaching content that is meaningful, applicable, and inviting to students. If they do not see the point of the subject matter then they will not

be interested in it.

Teaching young minds is a task that cannot be taken lightly. It is full of challenges, frustrations, and responsibilities. However, it is a task that is also full of excitement, wonder, and joy. I strongly believe that all children are capable of learning, if they have the proper motivation and direction from their teachers. As a teacher I need to aware of learning, motivation, behaviour, and development theories in order to relate to my students and push them to reach their full potential. It is my duty to see that all my students are being motivated; this is only fair to the students. They deserve my time and full attention in regards to their education.

In my view, there is no one "best" way to teach. My philosophy and pedagogy fit well with my own personal traits and attributes but I still have much to learn. While I am deeply appreciative of the encouraging words I have received from former students and colleagues, I am constantly evolving as a teacher.

My philosophy of education is based on what I know and have experienced at this point in my career. I am sure that my teaching philosophy will change as I learn more as a young professional. That’s one of the gifts of being human; we can make mistakes, or learn something new, and make a change for the better. I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead of me as a teacher.