I have thirteen years experience of teaching Science across the whole ability range from 11-18. I have taught Chemistry, Physical Science, Biology, and English. In addition, I have tutored adults preparing for their GED and currently train teachers in an MS in Ed- Science program. I have taught in the MS in Education program course for several years, and continue to be excited about the techniques employed to facilitate children’s learning of science.
My goal as a teacher is to prepare students, adults, or adolescents to be active knowledgeable citizens of the world with a life-long desire for learning. While I want students to know the content of the courses I teach, I want them to develop the ability to critically analyze issues and make judgments based on solid evidence in all spheres of their lives.
For students to develop a life-long love of learning, they must be active willing participants in the process. As a teacher, I encourage this by drawing out and building on each student’s experience and knowledge in the subject area. I must acknowledge and show respect for what the student brings to the learning environment. My role then is to act as a facilitator of learning, guiding students to make the connection between their experiences and the subject matter, and helping them to recognize that they are responsible for their own learning.
Just as students bring a variety of experiences to a learning environment, they bring an array of learning styles. In order to accommodate this diversity in learning modes, I use a variety of teaching approaches (lecture, discussion, group activities, scientific investigation, and integrated technology). All of these methods give students the opportunity to develop their skills in communicating (reading, writing, and speaking), investigating, and interacting with others. Students discuss and defend their understanding of concepts in discussions, essays, and reports of projects or scientific experiments. They always receive written evaluation of assignments so they can learn from their mistakes.