Mr. Topel Portfolio
My Teaching Philosophy
I believe that teachers are put in place to help students discover and nurture the gifts and talents that will allow them to become successful, well adjusted, members of adult society. In order to accomplish this goal, I have identified three important elements which clarify my beliefs about teaching.
Element #1: Uniqueness
My beliefs about nurturing student talent are rooted in the idea that each student is unique, not only in their gifts and talents, but also in the ways that they learn most effectively. Because of this uniqueness, I realize that some students will learn differently than others, and I utilize multiple ways to present new material and check for student understanding. These presentation or assessment methods include hands on labs, technology-based activities, group projects, and traditional direct instruction.
Element #2: Critical Thinking
No matter which method I use to share material, my end goal is not simply to have students that can memorize or recite facts, but rather to have students who can think critically about our subject matter. One way that I promote critical thinking in science is to ask “Google proof” questions which require deeper understanding and synthesis of surface level facts. I also promote critical thinking in math class by emphasizing applications of content, and allowing students time to come up with their own methods for solving more complex problems.
Element #3: Accountability
Finally, my beliefs about teaching are grounded in the need for student accountability. In order to prepare students for a successful future in the adult world, I believe that students need to be held accountable for the effort they put into academic work. This can be done through traditional letter grades, or with other, more recent, alternatives.
By combining all three of these elements, I believe that I can do my very best to teach students, and help them to use their gifts and talents to the very best of their potential.
Element #1: Uniqueness
My beliefs about nurturing student talent are rooted in the idea that each student is unique, not only in their gifts and talents, but also in the ways that they learn most effectively. Because of this uniqueness, I realize that some students will learn differently than others, and I utilize multiple ways to present new material and check for student understanding. These presentation or assessment methods include hands on labs, technology-based activities, group projects, and traditional direct instruction.
Element #2: Critical Thinking
No matter which method I use to share material, my end goal is not simply to have students that can memorize or recite facts, but rather to have students who can think critically about our subject matter. One way that I promote critical thinking in science is to ask “Google proof” questions which require deeper understanding and synthesis of surface level facts. I also promote critical thinking in math class by emphasizing applications of content, and allowing students time to come up with their own methods for solving more complex problems.
Element #3: Accountability
Finally, my beliefs about teaching are grounded in the need for student accountability. In order to prepare students for a successful future in the adult world, I believe that students need to be held accountable for the effort they put into academic work. This can be done through traditional letter grades, or with other, more recent, alternatives.
By combining all three of these elements, I believe that I can do my very best to teach students, and help them to use their gifts and talents to the very best of their potential.
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