Teaching Philosophy

Teaching is a conversation. It is a dialogue, not a monologue. When a teacher strives to convey knowledge, he or she must do so with an awareness of the student body's needs and background. Teaching involves give-and-take: even when lecturing the teacher must do so with an awareness of whom she or he is lecturing to. Do the students have special needs? Are they familiar with this period of history? Are they likely able to relate to the character in the story?

Teaching is also a performance. Like a good performer, the teacher must know his or her audience: their strengths and weaknesses, and what frameworks of knowledge they 'bring to the table.' Although the teacher may have to convey a specific syllabus of content, the teacher cannot assume that every class has the same background. Teachers must also have sensitivity and understanding of student's cultural differences, social...
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