Teaching Statement

Teaching Statement

Rene M. Steenwyk

Ferris State University

Teaching is my lifelong passion. I have longed to be a teacher since before I can

remember. I have found papers I filled out all the way back in kindergarten that asked, "What do
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you want to be when you grow up?" My answer has always been "A teacher." However, my

reasoning has changed over the years. On the same kindergarten survey it asked why I chose that

job. My answer was, "Because it is fun and easy." Being a teacher is not easy, Ive learned, but it

can be fun. I love hearing people tell stories; saying something along the lines of, "I remember

when my third grade teacher, Mr./Mrs._____ taught me _____, and I'll never forget them for

that." Someday, I want to be that teacher. My desire motivates me to analyze how I am doing and

how I can improve.

Respect; Should a teacher demand it or earn it? The answer is not one or the other, but

both. Teachers can earn respect in an unlimited number of ways. My personal favorite is to offer

a handshake and a good morning when they walk in the door. The best way to earn respect

from others is to show them respect as well. Tell and show your students you respect them, and

you will earn respect in return. One of the best ways to earn a student's respect in the classroom

is by being the kind of person your students want to become. According to the article Teachers

Must Earn Students Respect, written by Joe Martin for Educational World, ...if your students

don't want to become you (i.e. duplicate your success), then you don't need to be there. We're

talking about integrity. Whenever we promote success to students without first modeling it, we're

seen as hypocrites in their eyes, even if they don't admit it. In addition, we lose credibility in the

classroom (Martin). Modeling the right behavior will lead to respect from students. When an

instructor doesnt follow their own rules the students wont either.

Teachers should be kind. Although there are times a teacher must be stern, kindness will

let children know you care not only about them academically but as a person. Looking back on

teachers one has had in the past, a person may not remember what that teacher taught them, but

they will remember how that teacher made them feel. According to Emily Gallagher in the article
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The Effects of Student-Teacher Relationships for NYU, Positive teacher-student relationships

enable students to feel safe and secure in their learning environments and provide scaffolding for

important social and academic skills. Teachers who support students in the learning environment

can positively impact their social and academic outcomes, which is important for the long-term

trajectory of school and eventually employment (Gallagher, 2017). When noticing a student is

having a rough day, I plan to pull them aside and gently ask them if they would like to talk about

it. I will give students compassion and understanding because their emotional/social growth is

just as important academic progress. Furthermore, when a student is dealing with outside

problems, their classroom learning is hindered. If an instructor can assist a child in their outside

problems the child is more likely to grow as a learner.

Theres nothing better than a teacher who knows their stuff. Catching students attention

by showing off your vast knowledge will intrigue them to be able to do the same. Throughout my

college years Ive kept this in mind. I retained every bit of knowledge possible to ensure I will

know the answer to all of my students questions. However, it is unreasonable to expect a teacher

to know everything about anything. At those times I plan to simply admit, I dont know. But, I

wont stop there. Then I will let that student know I will do research to find the answer, and get

back to them on it. This lets students know, as a teacher, I continue to learn new things everyday

just like they do.

To be an effective teacher, I must plan ahead. It may be ideal for some teachers to go to

school at the start time and leave when the bell rings at the end of the day. Then, do nothing after

hours. At times this sounds ideal to me as well. However, this is not what makes an effective

teacher. Planning can make a lesson go much smoother and be more helpful for the students.

Planning can also ease a teachers stress during class time. In fact, an article written for Time by
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Marina Watson Pelez called Plan Your Way to Less Stress, More Happiness explains results

from a survey done of over 3,000 U.S. people. The results found that the best way to prevent

stress is by planning ahead, aka stopping the stress before it even happens (Watson, 2011). Lets

face it, its not good if a teacher is running around wasting valuable class time in search for

materials they need. After analyzing the level at which my students are at, I can continue my

planning by improving premade lesson plans and apply them by scaffolding. Not only do I think

organization is helpful for teachers, I also enjoy being organized. I like knowing where

everything I need is and it being an ease to access it.

Teaching is stressful, busy, hectic, frustrating, and wonderful. Guiding children to

blossom isnt all pretty and sweet like it may sound. This job comes with a lot of difficulty, but

the passion I have to do this job is so strong that I know I cant fail. Seeing children learn

something new is what drives me to get out of bed each morning. Being a teacher makes me

happy and it is a job I was born to do.

References

Gallagher, E. (2017). The Effects of Teacher-Student Relationships: Social and Academic

Outcomes of Low-Income Middle and High School Students. In NYU. Retrieved

from Google.

Martin, J. (n.d.). Teachers Must Earn Students' Respect. In Educational World. Retrieved from

Google.
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Watson Pelaez, M. (2011, May 31). Plan Your Way to Less Stress, More Happiness. In Time.

Retrieved from Google.