Standards of Teaching

Teachers are Committed to Students and Their Learning

Teachers are the essence of knowledge and guidance to students outside of their cultural upbringing.  Teachers have no bias as to what should be passed on to young minds since they strive to keep the world learning the fabric of reality.  There are no boundaries which may keep them from teaching students and make a point of communicating to them and their parents that knowledge is accessible regardless of their status on economics or education level.  Students of all types have the power of knowledge at their fingertips throughout their lives, but most importantly throughout their youth.  All students have equal access to this knowledge and have the same chances of learning when they choose to apply themselves. 

There is no question whether the youth should learn faster and with more efficiency today than any other generation thanks to the evolution of education.  As research strives to find better methods for student learning it is the commitment of teachers to educate youth so that they may realize how to pass on their own knowledge.  The cyclical nature of a well-rounded education lies in parents teaching their children to respect learning facilities so that they may do so with their future children.  Students will discover what they are capable of when they are motivated to develop self confidence and show an understanding of the world around them.

Teachers Know the Subjects They Teach and How to Teach Those Subjects to Students

The graduate program at SEU has shown me many new ideas about education, but the pivotal concept of the program sees teachers as both content masters and researchers of education.  Science education is no easy task due to its complex theories and nomenclature yet it is a large part of the fascinating advances that human beings have surrounded themselves with.  Science teachers must keep up with their students’ questions by staying on top of the latest ambitions since things that we know to be true are changing every day.  Along with knowing these topics inside-out teachers must know how to teach them to the many different learning styles which make up a classroom.  Through the program I have developed a sense of urgency to create engaging lessons that motivate students.  Not only does this lesson planning use many techniques to connect with individual mindsets, but also teaches students how to learn in different ways.   

Teachers are Responsible for Managing and Monitoring Student Learning

In the business world professional development implies growth of knowledge and skills in a particular field over time.  One must apply a practical plan that will take many people on this journey which not only provides knowledge to the learner but also constantly monitors the success rate of that plan by means of analyzing performance.  In the same fashion teachers must not only teach learners but also manage how well they learn through constant assessment.  Additionally teachers must use research to amplify their performance by constantly managing and monitoring their strategies.  While school districts commonly use training and development days for teachers to "step-up" their performance teachers should also use their own methods of determining how they could develop their career.

I believe that it is important to use various techniques for initiating learning in the classroom.  The age of the instructional lecture has come a long way from the days of the teacher elaborating on topics with the student taking notes.  Technology has advanced the way knowledge is incorporated into minds of students by adding the element of constructivism so that they may analyze the material learned and applying it to real world devices.  Additionally, the technology used in classrooms has aided the teacher in analyzing the students’ progress.

           Though many observers would see the use of PowerPoint presentations in the classroom as a colossal step into the future of the educational system, many would see this as a typical lecture that has little retainable knowledge unless used to incorporate many methods of instructions.  Knowledge will have a better chance of retention in the mind of the student when a presentation is given with audio commentary, written text, graphical images, and animations.  When teaching a lesson in dimensional analysis, I would utilize a written formula with numbers and units only to lead into a simulation of how it could be used in a number of different formats. The same type of procedure could be used to demonstrate such aspects as stoichiometry.

Hands-on learning is yet another effective process to which students will learn to use the skills that they acquire in school.  Studies have shown that the learning curve is greatly affected by the processes used in the classroom and specifically those that allow the student to use the said skill in a number of ways.  Such techniques also prepare students for the assessment process of their learning.  While the skill that they have acquired is used in the laboratory for each experiment, the student is also repeating the process a numerous times.  This will prepare them for tests as they have understood the processes for success and also observed the mistakes that will alter their results.

Teachers Think Systematically about Their Practice and Learn from Experience

It has been no large task for me to continue  my education.  Returning to St. Edwards University to concentrate on becoming a teacher was the most logical step in my career as it gives me a chance to harness the skills of managing a classroom and learning new methods of instruction.  The entire program so far has me interested in learning new theories of education as the style of today has proved much more successful than those of decades ago.  Had I merely rushed into my initial teacher certification without choosing to learn the techniques offered at the university, I would not examine the field in as much depth as I have been trained to do.  Additionally I would have less opportunity to explore new ideas and processes of education that have become so intriguing to me as of late. 

            My natural practice of identifying new ideas and staying open to suggestion on what can be accomplished has continued to pay off as the role of the teacher is constantly evolving.  The process of instruction along with the methods of delivery will also be forever changing so I will continue to move with them.  I believe that I will not struggle with adapting to new patterns that are necessary for teachers as I feel that constant practice in needed in every skill.  It is also very important for me to stay on top of new developments in the strategies of other teachers to understand the techniques that work well and those that have little value to the students.  I feel that analyzing concepts and theories outside of the United States can also prove helpful in developing a curriculum which attends to the needs of the student because of the importance globalizing education. 

Teachers are Members of Learning Communities

The education process had taught me the value of collaborating with others as it proves useful to gather ideas from many minds, especially from those that have had much experience in the field.  With the access of the World Wide Web communicating with other professionals and the exchange of ideas has become much more accessible.  Resources are now available online for educators to gather and organize into their curriculum in order to improve the way that they teach.  There are many places on the web that present learning strategies from different parts of the world that have proved useful to educators.  Student learning can only improve with time and collaboration.

            Teachers should stay involved by encouraging students that they have the ability to learn many things.  It is also the job of the educational system to spread this theory into the community as it will only help to encourage the students to do well.  There is a place for the educator in social interaction with the parents as this will aid them in encouraging students as well.  Teachers also have the opportunity to become active in the communities that surround their students.  Not only do teachers need to be a part of organizations that are involved with the parents, but also with the community as a whole.  It necessary to reflect on theories of learning and the methods that prove useful to the education of the community’s youth so that they may develop new strategies that will support them.  Funding education will have fewer problems if the educational department as whole can influence both individuals and businesses to become supportive.