Ryan Bezanson, Jenelle Hutnik, Jodi PittsSPU 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