My Beliefs About Education
I have always held a strong belief that education is a right, not a privilege. Everyone is entitled to the right to learn, and as teachers, it is our duty to pass on knowledge to each new generation. To me, education is the cornerstone of society. No other occupation or societal advancement can take place without education. This is why it bothers me to see anyone who doesn't understand the value in education. It also leads me to believe that as a teacher, my goal is not just to educate, but to make sure my students understand why it matters that they be educated.
Importance and Goals of Teaching History
I hate to use such a common phrase, but we must know the past to avoid repeating it. What happened in the past does matter, and that is a part of teaching history that I feel isn't emphasized enough. It isn't enough to simply tell what happened and why; teachers must also explain why it matters today. Only that way can we as teachers illustrate the importance of history to students. My personal goal as a history teacher is to avoid becoming the stereotypical "boring history teacher", and help students see the value of history. If I can change the mind of only one student who dislikes history, then I will feel that I have fulfilled my objective.
My Strategies for Teaching History
As a teacher, I want to make history class fun and engaging. I want students to be interested in what class is covering and engage in discussion with their peers. I plan to focus a great deal of time on writing in my class. Writing is one of the most valuable skills students learn in school, and I want my students to leave my class and see an improvement in their writing abilities. My goal for each class is for students engage in discussion, relate it to their own lives if possible, and leave class feeling like a historian.
My Role in Society as a Teacher
I feel that teachers, playing such a large role in the molding of each upcoming generation, must hold themselves to a very high standard. We must serve as exemplary role models for our students and the rest of society, in order to truly demonstrate the value of education to others. I strongly believe that education is the most important occupation in society, and I plan to treat my job as a teacher as seriously as that description implies.