Educational Platform

Lisa Atwell

I have always believed that teaching is one of the most important professions in society.

Teachers have the opportunity to touch the lives of many children. Throughout their career, teachers can have an influence on many students they teach. That influence, either positive or negative, can have a tremendous impact on the overall learning experience of students. In order to be an effective teacher, one must possess patience, love, and a desire to do what is best for each student.

One of the most important aspects of a classroom is the environment. I believe teachers should try to make learning fun and interesting for students, which is why I prefer hands-on and collaborative learning, especially in a gifted classroom. Activities that are engaging and interesting to students will help them grasp concepts better and retain the information for longer periods of time. Teachers need to take the time to learn and understand the various learning styles and interests of students in their room. If teachers will do this, they can plan lessons and activities that will keep students engaged and excited about learning.

In addition, I feel it is important for children to learn to question things that occur around them without fear of reprisal. Often in a classroom setting, students are told to sit, listen, take notes, and learn the information. Rarely are students encouraged to take risks or question theories and ideas that are presented, especially in lower grades. In my classroom, I encourage students to question ideas and assumptions. It is important for students to learn to ask questions and not believe everything just because it was said by an adult. This questioning will help students develop critical thinking skills that will help them throughout life. Parental involvement is extremely important in any classroom setting. Parents need to support and encourage their children in order for them to succeed and develop positive self- concepts. I conduct parent meetings at the beginning of each new school year. I ask parents to share ideas and suggestions that might help me make the year more successful for their children.

I also send newsletters informing parents of activities the children are currently involved in.

Parents are always welcome to visit the classroom, especially at the end of units, when all parents are invited. The principal and Head of School are also invited to visit the classroom. By involving the parents and administrators, the students feel that activities they are involved in are important and beneficial to their learning.

As a professional, it is my responsibility to continue to find new ideas and learn new strategies for teaching my students. Education is constantly changing, and I must remain diligent about learning new methods in order to teach my students to the best of my ability. Currently, attending graduate school is helping me meet this goal. After I graduate, I intend to continue attending conferences and may pursue a higher degree. I feel that I must remain current on trends and issues occurring in the field of gifted education so that I can help my students, as well as the other teachers in my school.

Finally, I feel it is crucial to challenge students to go beyond what they believe they can do. This is especially important for the gifted classroom. The students need to be challenged in order for them to grow intellectually and emotionally. In the regular classroom, gifted students can become underachievers because the coursework is easy for them and they can become bored and distracted. Gifted students need to be encouraged to try activities they have not mastered or attempted before. This will help them step out of their “comfort zone” and learn to take risks. By doing this, they can begin to build their self-confidence and learn that they can achieve goals they set for themselves.

In conclusion, I feel that I must continue to use innovative, as well as tried-and-true, methods of teaching in order to teach my students to the best of my ability. By using fun and engaging activities, my students can discover that learning can be exciting. I feel that if students develop a love of learning, they can become lifelong learners and will continually strive to do their best.