Question 4

However a teacher teaches, at the end of the day their own fundamental beliefs about learning, discipline, the nature of children and how they value education take over. What are your fundamental ideas about the nature of education and classroom management?

Fundamental beliefs?

• The world is an amazing place - we are all students of it together

• My role as a teacher is to facilitate learning by providing enthusiasm, interest, explanation, making links, posing puzzles, acting as a mediator, simplifying concepts, expanding horizons

• We all learn by talking about stuff and sharing it

• We like to be recognised when we do well.

• My role is also to gate keep, and ensure that the classroom is safe and equitable - some students need to be encouraged to speak out, and others to speak less

• The teacher sets the tone and expectations of the class - students rise to appropriate challenges!

• Students are all unique and have their own style of learning and strengths and weaknesses. As far as possible I will try to make learning situations to work best for students with many different styles.

• Each student is ultimately in charge of their own life and actions - as far as possible I wish to encourage responsibility, self motivation and autonomy.

• Education should reflect the whole world - each student should ultimately have a broad knowledge of many disciplines and ideas - the 'renaisance man' comes to mind. Music, Mathematices, Logic, Art, Physics, Chemistry, Philosophy, Engineering, Morality, Dance, History. Dealing with these subjects discreetly and dryly does not help them become real - they all need to be part of every experience

• We occasionally need a gentle push, and consistent boundaries to stop us from being slack. 'Discipline' should be the last resort for a democratic/leadership/partnership management stlyle.
  

• We need opportunity to excercise all aspects of ourselves - head, heart and hands - thinking, willing and doing.

• We need examples of truthfulness, autonomy, creativity, justice, mercy and compassion around us - as teachers we need to model this in our actions and relationships.