My "All In" Philosophy

                The basis of my teaching philosophy is founded in my 20 years as a student, and tutor.  There is a heavy influence of sociological theory, as well as analytical methods.  These attributes can be based on my degree in Criminal Justice as well as the raising I had by a research assistant.  More than that is my insistence that a good teacher is available for any problems a student might have as well as the position of being possibly the only positive role model my students may have.  It’s important for me to be 100% vested in my students and to put forth 100% effort into making better students and better people.  Put simply, my teaching philosophy is to be “all in”. 

                I believe an education that only covers tests and course material is hopelessly incomplete.  Academically we must help students develop the tools they cannot be directly tested on.  I must teach them how to learn, how to study, and how to be a positive addition to society.

                My approach to teaching is to be “all in” like I mentioned before.  What I mean by this is to be as available to the students as much as possible. The basis of an education in the sciences to me starts with the scientific method.  When students have mastered the ability to apply the method to their problems and walk through the steps, they can then begin to teach and learn by themselves.  Biblically speaking it is teaching a man to fish as opposed to giving a man a fish. 

                I expect myself to adhere to the charge of being “all in” regardless of how tiring, futile, or idealistic it may seem.  I expect myself to help both students and colleagues succeed in whatever their goals are.

                From my students I will expect discipline, hard work, and a willingness to learn.  While not all of them will show these attributes, I will push them towards these characteristics because I believe that these things help make people successful.  I expect my students to respect my position as a teacher, and I expect myself to in turn earn that respect.

                From my colleagues I expect two things effort and good will, exhibiting these things towards the students, teachers, and administration.  
              
               I think my philosophy strongly coincides with the theory of realism, I want to focus on students as a whole person, not as chemistry student number 1. I strongly support the scientific method as a basis for critical thinking, at least for students who haven't developed these skills on their own. Finally accountability is important to me, both for myself, my co-workers and my students. I believe you can never deal with an issue if you don't take charge of it.

               Technology is a weakness for me, and I'm learning how to harness it as we speak, but I do believe it has great value. I am an auditory learner, so the lecture style has always been good for me, but not all people are like that, many need to see,feel, and manipulate things to get a concrete understanding. Technology provides us with the ability to teach students in these ways, all at the same time while sitting at their desks. We can low at the pyramids of Egypt from different angles, or built carbon chains.I'm sure I am barely scratching the surface of what it is capable of doing, and that gets me excited to learn about it, and further to implement it in a classroom of my own some day.
                Critical thinking is a skill that seems to be dying out faster than common sense.  So as listed before my main directive is to use the scientific method to teach students how to think and problem solve.  Show kids that discipline, hard work, and willingness to learn can lead you to a successful life.  As well as being “all in” so that every one of my students understand I care about their successes and failures.  Through these things I hope to be a good teacher and a great role model for my students.