EDFD452 My individual teaching philosophy (Original) Jodie Ferguson

It is important for teachers to continue to research and maintain current pedagogical

content knowledge as they work in the profession. To be a lifelong learner is a skill
every effective teacher possesses and strives to maintain. Learning is a process in which
teachers and students work together to achieve individual growth and success. By
learning together, it is not only the teacher that is encouraged to be a lifelong learner but
the students are also developing skills to continue to learn and inquire. In order for
teachers to learn alongside their students they need to know their students as individuals
with different learning needs.
Students learning cannot be generalised and specified as being one method of learning.
They have the ability to utilise multiple methods for a variety of concepts in order to
learn most effectively. Teachers need to be able to teach material and present ideas in a
number of ways in order to achieve student understanding. Reaching students at an
individual level offers a great deal of satisfaction for a teacher. Teaching as a profession
is an avenue to make a difference on individual lives and society as a whole. The goal of
teaching is to develop young minds into active, global citizens of the future.
My preference for teaching in the catholic setting exists due to the values these schools
exhibit and practice throughout their school community. Faith is described as a spiritual
journey in which students shape beliefs and develop into people of God. In my
experience with catholic schools, they have had an emphasis on social justice and equal
opportunity. It is important for these values to be demonstrated within the classroom
between teachers and students and the relationships that are formed throughout the
school community (staff, parents, students, parish and teachers). A positive rapport with
students, co-workers and the general school community is essential for a teacher to be
most effective.
An effective teacher is able to engage students using varying activities and forms of
ICT. Due to globalization, young people are more aware of technology and the effects t
has on the changing world. It is a teachers role in the modern classroom to facilitate
students learning and provide opportunities for such technologies to be taught or
utilised within the classroom. ICT can provide and avenue for reaching students with all
kinds of learning needs. Students can manipulate, record, listen, read, etc. using
technology such as an iPad which can increase engagement with basic activities.
Increased student engagement will result in more effective learning.



















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