What Kind of Teacher Do I Want To Be?

When I ask myself what kind of teacher I want to be, I think back to the good ones I've had in my lifetime and what made them so good. As a high school student, I remember one teacher who I knew genuinely cared for me. I knew this because of the way she looked at me when we spoke together. Although she was so much older, I felt that she had a sense of respect for me has a human being through her gaze. That was a huge deal now that I think back because I was so young. She had much more wisdom and many more years of lived experience than I. When I talk to some of the high school students that I teach, I catch myself saying things that separate us into levels of "experienced" categories without me knowing. I'd say things for example, when I was your age....or trust me, when you get to college....or you're old? What about me?! Just silly things like that. I recall not feeling too great when teachers would say those things. I think it sets us apart into different paradigms and sets boundaries.

It is definitely important to set student and teacher boundaries, which I've found one of my weaknesses as I always find me wanting to befriend my students. It often prevents the students in learning to respect you as a teacher as opposed to being a friend. I think I’ve realized these things the hard way but teaching is a little forgivable where I know I can learn from my experiences and just do it better the next time. I think the best relationship is when you find that place where the respect is present while trust is built in just enough. I believe gaining a child's trust and respect is one of the hardest and most delicate things in the world. They are so much more intuitive than adults will ever be. Children can sense all types of emotions but can't necessarily figure out why. I think I've felt that way many times as an adolescent.

I think it may actually be easier to know what kind of teacher I want to be by thinking about what kind I don't want to be. I know that I definitely don't want to be one that doesn't listen to the students and is one that just orders or commands what is to be done. I definitely want to make sure I listen to their interests, concerns, and stories. Isn't that what we are about? I am worried though, that as the years go by I would subtly become a type of teacher I do not want to be. I hope that I can remember to keep myself in check and not fall into a jaded place. In order to implement a student-centered learning approach, it's vital that we listen and learn how to meet them in their worlds. I want to be a teacher that sets students up for success in the words that I speak and guidance I bring forth through our conversations.

A quality I would like as a teacher is the ability to be aware of a student's short-term and long-term growth. I want to be able to understand the learning and changes that a student is undergoing and to see how every moment of learning fits into the larger picture of their lives. I want to be in this mindset when developing curriculum and lesson plans; not only the pieces but the whole. I also think it's important for us as educators to be connected to the world they live in. We need to be able to know, see, think, and feel what they are feeling or at least try to get a closer sense for it.

I believe that no matter what, we will have our weaknesses as teachers. We should continually be reflecting on ourselves and endlessly refining our presence in our students’ lives. I also believe it’s important for us to learn from our students and is significant in the role of a reflective teacher. Making sure we are addressing the needs of every child and creating a classroom space where diversity is embraced, is a key component to good teaching.  As an art educator, one of my goals will be to offer imaginative and creative lessons for students to be excited for; not only excitement, but opportunities to identify who they are and are becoming as individuals in society. It is our responsibility to facilitate an environment where all ideas, cultures, and differences are welcomed. I hope that my teaching encompasses all of these things and more. My students will be the judge of that.