Moore 1

Changing as a Human, Evolving as a Teacher

Throughout my career Ive noticed one thing that remains completely constant -- change.
That change includes personnel, strategies, environments, and attitudes. Ones ability to adapt to
change and to embrace it is what makes us successful, unique individuals. Adjusting to and
advancing thinking and learning methods is what makes the teaching profession so intriguing.
Our world is constantly trying to reach equilibrium and through that, philosophical lessons can
be taught regarding striving for balance and embracing transformation and innovation. This is all
the more accurate in the scientific community.
Teaching science should not be having students name all the bones in the body or
dissecting owl pellets; its about scientific inquiry and intrigue. Scientific inquiry challenges
students by having them pose questions, analyze problems, or investigate scenarios rather than
giving them fact based information that they simply have to memorize and take a multiple-choice
question test on at the end of the quarter. If students arent asking why they are doing something
or what its relevancy is to the real world then there really isnt a point in teaching it in the
classroom. Inquiry-based teaching is so important because it challenges students to think outside
of the box. As a teacher it is important for me to show students how to answer problems by
asking questions. Students will then have their questions answered which leads to solutions
through failure and success. I believe the most important aspect of scientific-inquiry is its
connection to the real world. Once students are out of the classroom and working in society,
theyll be presented with numerous situations where theyll be required to come up with a
solution. If I use inquiry-based learning in the classroom, theyll already have the skills
necessary to succeed. That is why it is so important to have students ask their own questions
instead of simply being told the answers.

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Investigation and asking questions that can be answered through experimentation and
trial and error (balance) is how knowledge is attained. From there, new schools of thought arise
and are consequently struck down or accepted, leading to higher and higher levels of thought and
pursuits of knowledge. That is why scientific inquiry and experimentation is so important,
science is primarily a process (or set of procedures) for helping us verify the reliability of
knowledge (Shuell). Continuously experimenting, failing and succeeding, and changing the
status quo is the basis of my teaching philosophy.
In addition to this inquiry-based approach to science in the classroom, it is also important
for my students to have the scientific literacy skills needed to progress and succeed. My students
should be able to know basic facts; use inquiry-based strategies; have the ability to read scientific
journals; etc. These basic skills are important in that they allow my students to make progress.
Understanding basic facts and processes provides my students with background knowledge so I
can scaffold instruction to ensure they understand the material presented. Scientific literacy is
analogous to the reading/writing arena. If a student doesnt understand basic rules of spelling or
pronunciation they wont be able to read a novel. That is why it is important for my students to
have a multitude of scientific literacy skills.
Scientific literacy is also important outside of the classroom (making a connection to
society and the real world). Modern life could not be imagined without science. In every
activity, every field, Science is present. Technology is driven by Science. Both Science and
Technology have changed the shape of mankind. In communications, medicine, transport, the
automotive industry, in pharmacy and cosmetics, in computing. Science and technology are
everywhere (Espinosa).

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While it isnt much yet, I have had the fortunate benefit to dip my feet into the water with
respect to teaching science. As mentioned previously, teaching science is much more than a
talking head filling students minds with information they could have simply read for
themselves. I have a multi-faceted role; I am a mentor, tutor, friend, disciplinarian, and a coach.
However while I taught, I too became a student. I learned to hone my skills and learned how to
better connect with other humans who taught me many things. Therefore, it is important for me
as a teacher to not only teach my students but to listen and learn from them as well. Good
teachers are great learners. They learn from all sources so as to teach effectively for their
students (Rao).
While teaching, it is extremely important that I exhibit a professional demeanor and
extensive knowledge of what I am teaching to my students. I need a core of information so as not
to seem like some random person blabbing on about nothing. Once my students see that I know
what I am talking about we establish a trust between each other and a more positive learning
environment is created. A give-and-take relationship with students is a necessity. If I show them
I am willing to work hard and be disciplined, they will show the same respect to me. Teaching
means being able to adapt to change, to establish bonds between your students, and to
continuously strive to keep learning.
Science is the future of mankind; therefore, it is important that we have good educators to
teach the subject. Educators that are dedicated to the subject and have a passion for teaching. I
believe that I have both of these qualities and am excited to mentor and mold the minds of the
future. Its important for me to have my students ask their own questions; its also very important
that I build the scientific literacy skills of my students up so that they have proper background
knowledge.

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Work Cited
Espinosa, Jose M. The Importance of Scientific Literacy in our Society. The Instititue of
Astrophysics at the Canaries. N.P. 18 Nov. 2014
Josephson, Michael. "Duty to Others and the Golden Rule." Business Ethics and Leadership
RSS. N.p., 15 Feb. 2011. Web. 15 Nov. 2014.
Rao, M. S. "Where Knowledge Is Wealth.": Dear Teachers! Are You Learning from Your
Students?. N.p., 13 June 2011. Web. 15 Nov. 2014.
Shuell, Thomas J. "Nature of Science." Nature of Science. N.p., 1997. Web. 15 Nov. 2014.