REFLECTIONS

To be a teacher is to be a guide.  It is up to the students to construct their own knowledge; however, this is impossible if the teacher does not give them the skills and resources necessary to accomplish this goal.  Teachers cannot think of students as an open container waiting to be filled with knowledge.

In my classroom, I would like to see a lot of class discussions.  Class discussions allow for the students to construct knowledge by considering several viewpoints on each topic.  Too many times teachers will only allow for one viewpoint to be expressed in the classroom, theirs.  Creating a productive learning environment is very important when teaching.  Allow students to question the textbooks, give them the resources and tools that will help them not only in your classroom, but also for the rest of their lives.  Allowing students to construct their own knowledge will help them appreciate the learning process that much more.

Teaching is more than direct instruction and giving tests; it is a chance to change the lives of your students for the better.  Only those people who are up to the challenge of teaching should pursue a career in the educational system.