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Reflection about teaching and learning in Canada

I think that many of the most important qualities of a good teacher are a reflection of her personality which can be revealed only when she is Herself in classroom: for example imagination, creativity or spontaneity which all play a vital role in teaching as what you find in classroom might be different from what you had anticipated.

After my full-time assignment at HSS, I reflected on some of -what I consider to be- the most important issues involved in teaching:

* I reflected on the importance of the holistic approach of learning and real-life connections.

* I also reflected on critical thinking and how I would have liked to have given students more time for inquiries, confrontation and discovery.

* I reflected on the report between the time allocated to a teacher based lecture and students’ active learning, and I am more and more aware of the importance of active learning because in their future life the students will need to think and act simultaneously to progress in the modern world.

* I would have liked to encourage group work a lot more as it can give students the opportunity to share, consider others more and become better humans. 

I generally like to base my classes (Math/ Physics) around questions/ projects –as opposed to facts. Knowledge is important of course but in a context (seeing the whole while learning the parts) and for a purpose. I am aware that the emphasis should be not necessarily on depth, but more on discovering ideas rather than on covering a prescribed curriculum. I like also to design my classes while considering students real-world experiences and knowledge – connected with what I teach. I know that this way, students can understand better how the subject helps them in understanding real life. And this way, if learning embraces their common sense about the outside world- they will not forget what they have learned in class. If the students understand well what is going on in class, they behave better. If all students are kept accountable at their level of understanding, they can feel good about themselves and their behavior improves.

*  I reflected on what I should have done differently from this point of view at HSS.

I am aware of how important it is to encourage the students by recognizing their strengths and accomplishments. This can contribute toward better relationships. However, I still think we have to help students develop needed skills and good values and not necessarily praise them at every opportunity. I think that students becoming dependent on prizes as an incentive act in order to get them and not for a genuine purpose of learning.

I know that all students have something they like to do, are fond of or passionate about and I know how important it is to discover what their relative strengths are, and help develop these into something they can be proud of.

* I reflected on how much I did this over the past year and on how much I worked with each student who had, for example, special needs.

I believe that being part of the same team as my students can create a better learning environment through maintaining a high level of interest in studying. Most importantly, the students would be able to see me as a human, not only as a teacher.

I know that students are much more receptive to learning when they are relaxed and the importance of entertainment in this context. 

 *I reflected on how important it is for the teacher to be patient regarding conflicts –not to seek only resolutions but to embrace them the moment they appear – failure to do this means they go underground and multiply. I think that with acceptance, the teacher is more relaxed and this- in itself -can create better relationship with students.

I am aware of the importance of fast change at all levels and the fact I have to be able to keep pace with any changes imposed by my students in order to meet their needs.

Teaching becomes very enjoyable and easy if the teacher identifies her life with it—and this can be done if there is a natural bridge connecting the souls of all of the people involved.

While I accept that the psychological insight into students’ capacities and interests is crucial, I also consider that the teacher’s insights are as important and the inability of the teacher to hold the contradictions together in her soul creates stress within. All teachers know that to help children become free in their future life—for example-requires some restrictions on their freedom in different circumstances, requires discipline. This kind of contradictions are not easy to deal with in the traditional education system : to be quite strict in order to facilitate learning but at the same time loose and entertaining to make learning an enjoyable process; to be assertive but at the same time tolerant and flexible. A good teacher in such a system needs a lot of experience and mature understanding of students’ personalities.

While I understood that teachers can determine the future of the students, it is also true that the students can influence and change their teachers’ personality. There is a symbiosis at work.

At  the core—I don’t think there are important differences between students in Canada and anywhere else in the world. Inside, all people and especially children/teenagers are genuine. I think that my response to people and students is at the same level of sincerity.

My love for people and the teaching profession, give me the strength to continue this work.This is the way I can serve humanity. What is more important then a good education ?