Think Alike, Teach Alike, Happy Outcomes

I am so grateful for people who think like me, not because they agree with all of my views because there is no way they could all possibly agree with everything I like or the way I think, but because they have similar views on what is right in relation to the benefit of children, not only regarding education but to children's self worth, self esteem and positive educational and life experiences. As a teacher I am responsible and accountable for the educational outcomes and well being of the students in my classroom, scary thought really and a big responsibility when you really think about it. It's not just about teaching them to read and write, it's also about teaching them values, most of all teaching them to be independent, happy, resilient and to become honest, decent members of society. We need to be aware of anything we say that may influence their thinking now or in the future. I know that when I was in high school, teachers that I had then influenced my way of thinking, not always in a positive way. Unfortunately influences from teachers are quite strong and can lead the students into thinking negatively or divert them from what they truly believe in or want from life. As a teacher my aim is to give the students a positive educational experience that will encourage them to go for it, no matter what it is they want from life and to one day as an adult look back and think to themselves 'I remember my primary school teacher, Stephanie, she was the one who made me feel happy at school and encouraged me to have a go'.
Steph