COLE WHITAKER

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     The driving force behind my calling to teach is to create moments in which students feel smart and successful.  This is important because when students feel they can do one thing well, they begin to realize that they could do anything well in the right circumstances.  I want to create a drive and ambition in each student that makes them excited to try new things and push through fear.  Each person’s image of their ability to learn and be successful is shaped by classroom experiences when they were young.  If they don’t pick up on something right away, they often decide they are “stupid” and can’t learn.  On the other hand, if they are in a classroom where they are taught that anyone can learn, a classroom that trains them how to learn, they will picture themselves as capable.

     To facilitate these moments first, a safe classroom culture must be created.  My classroom is one where wrong answers are not punished but instead seen as a step toward the correct answer.  The physical aspects of the classroom include change.  Change in seating arrangements, groups and even the way tables and chairs are set up.  This also helps decrease fear because change becomes expected instead of feared.  This also helps with memory encoding and retention.   An important step in creating a culture of learning without fear is to teach students how memories are created and retained as well as good study habits.  This gives students realistic expectations for learning and helps them have patience if they don’t understand information right away.  An example of a teaching strategy that fits this culture would be separating the class into groups and assigning each group a specific subject to research and present.  This helps students learn how to find their own information.  The activity also helps give the students ownership over the information which, in turn, increases self-esteem. A third benefit of this type of activity is learning how to work with others.  In this scenario, the teacher is a coach on the sideline instead of a lecturer in the front of the room.  I monitor groups to intervene when there is confusion or a group needs guidance.  This helps teach students the skills they need to take on projects on their own. 

     What I would like my students to leave my classroom with is a set of skills for dealing with challenges, a passion for learning and the confidence that they can learn anything. With a positive view of themselves and a positive attitude toward learning anything can be accomplished.  Students will be able to succeed in classes even when a teacher doesn’t teach in a way that makes sense to them because they will know what they need and will have the self-confidence to ask for it.  These life and learning skills translate to schooling as well as work and personal life.