NFE Reflections Ormiston 2007-8
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MCC New Faculty Experience Reflections, My Name, My Department, Mesa Community College, Contact me (mailto:myemail)
My Teaching Philosophy
As a teacher, it is my responsibility to enhance my students' intellectual, social and emotional skills. I am their local expert not only in the area of the academic material but also in the development of ethical member of society who can see the intrinsic value of education. My role is that of a facilitator and a mentor: I will organize and plan lessons that teach the content but at the same time teach students how to become formal thinkers. I will guide students in their transition from concrete to abstract thinking in mathematics and will help them reach the expectations the state, district and I set for them. In addition I will do my part in helping students acquire the basic skills and knowledge needed to function successfully in society. My manner will be caring but authoritative to ensure that I receive the appropriate level of respect from the students.
The students will learn from me, but I will also learn from them. I must constantly challenge my teaching practices based on the reactions and attitudes of the students. Each student and class will be different, and I will be committed to accommodating the needs of individuals. Students are both customers and products of the education I will provide. I will help make their educational experience positive and will be dedicated to supplying society with competent individuals. I will not judge nor presume anything about the students and will give each person a fair chance to participate and learn in my classroom. Because every student is different, I will need to treat everyone differently; though I may not treat everyone equally (exactly the same), I will make certain that every student be treated equitably, i.e. each student will have the opportunity and necessary support to learn.
I will create a classroom climate that is welcoming and conducive to many types of learners. My classroom will be structured to increase the comfort level of the students so that they may fully take advantage of the opportunity to learn. The classroom setting will be familiar but not boring. Expectations will be clear, and I will always be willing to aid the students in reaching these expectations. The environment will be cooperative, encouraging students to view one another as a resource in the learning process. The classroom should always be a positive place for students to come, and the students will be reminded of the need for a positive and productive learning environment. In regards to discipline, rather than focusing on rewards and punishment all the time, I will instill the idea that rules are established and obeyed to show courtesy and respect towards others, an important notion in society as well as school.
Students will gain a strong knowledge base founded on conceptual understanding. By focusing on concepts instead of individual procedures and examples, students will be more likely to develop strong problem solving skills and become more self-sufficient when faced with unfamiliar problems. Students will also be taught how to apply their conceptual knowledge to a variety of tasks, exploring different problem-solving strategies along the way. Instruction will oscillate between teacher-directed activities, e.g. lecturing, and student-directed activities, e.g. cooperative learning, working with manipulatives. The students will be expected to make their own observations, conjectures and conclusions about what they are learning with guidance from me as necessary.
I will design my lesson plans to captivate a number of learning styles. It is my responsibility to keep my sessions motivating and interesting while ensuring that the content is being learned. Peer-teaching will be an important part of my lessons, as students remember and understand best when they teach others. Lecture, cooperative learning and creative projects will also be a part of my lessons. Students will always be encouraged to work together to find solutions and fill the holes in each other's understanding. I will present each topic in several ways and give students ample opportunity to ask questions and express their levels of understanding before moving on.
Assessment of the students' learning will occur in various ways. Progress will be evaluated frequently through homework and quizzes, and in-depth assessment will take place at the end of specific units. I will use written tests, oral presentations and in-class activities to determine the level of my students' knowledge and ability to apply what they have learned. Assessment will include task-based exercises, conceptual questions and application problems. I will also assess students by requiring them to explain their thinking in writing or orally as it is important for them to be able to express their knowledge to others in a clear and effective manner. Regardless of the means of assessment I choose, I will design all assessments with the motive of enabling students to demonstrate what they have learned.
In general, I will provide my students with a strong conceptual understanding of the content, teaching them how to think rather than how to memorize. My goal is to supply an education that will prepare them for the future, academically and socially. I want my students to feel confident and comfortable with the content and appreciate the high value of schools, learning and knowledge.
Reflection on Scholarly Teaching and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Scholarly teaching is an important part of teaching that helps to bring about documented improvements in student learning. It is crucial for every teach to participate in thoughtful engagement and integration of ideas, examples and resources; in addition it is important to be pedagogically informed and current with strategies of course design and course implementation to be a more effective practitioner in the practice of teaching and learning. As a scholarly teacher, I try to exhibit curiosity about and interest in my students, their learning, and their learning climates. I hope to identify with problems related to student learning and to develop and implement teaching strategies that enhance student learning. Documentation is also an important part of scholarly teaching, so I plan to document the implementation and results of utilizing new strategies in the classroom. I will reflect and share my ideologies and outcomes with others and hopefully they will share with me as well. In general, I will try to consistently and continually grow by knowledge of teaching and learning and contribute to the field of teaching and learning.
Understanding of MCC Culture Gained through NFE
I still don't have a clear view of what MCC Culture is to me. I am lucky to have friends and family in many different departments across campus, who have all contributed to my understanding of the culture here at MCC. Talking to my students over the past few years about their experiences here and at other college campuses has also helped me in learning about MCC. NFE was a great way to meet many faculty members with different ideas and perspectives, which I have enjoyed. Many of the discussions that we participated were a wonderful way to explore the culture and mission of MCC as well as my role in these things.
Impact of NFE on my Approach to Teaching
NFE has helped me to have a more holistic approach to teaching and reminds me to not just think about pedagogy and my content area, but my role as an MCC faculty member, a member of the district, and a member the education community, and how playing each of these roles comes with me to the classroom. The most important thing I have learned is that the student's best interest should always be at the heart of any decision whether it is an individual, a department, a school, a district, a state, or a national decision. I have also learned that defining what may be "in the student's best interest" is difficult to define, and becomes even more difficult to define in a group.
Reflection on my Experience in the NFE Community
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Reflection on My Future as a Member of the MCC Community
I am excited about all of the partnerships I have already made this year. I can't wait to delve further into the MCC Community and start to contribute to positive changes and progress for this great school!
