The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able

to say, "The children are now working as if i don't exist."

- Maria Montessori
My pedagogical standpoint has been highly determined by my mentor teachers as
well as my own individual encounters at schools. They have helped mould me into
the teacher i've become today, but are not the main reason I decided to pursue my
career as a teacher. I decided to become an educator as I find it rewarding and
fulfilling to watch students learn and grow intellectually and as a person. I thrive in
the areas of PDHPE, Science and Mathematics. I enjoy the variety and the
challenges that come with the job and having to keep up with today's continually
changing society. John Dewey (1994) states that if we teach today's students as we
taught yesterday's, we rob them of tomorrow. I consider myself as both a teacher
and learner of the 21st century. I see this career as one in which you are constantly
improving and learning new things every single day on the job. Some of these things
include new strategies, new behaviour management strategies, new ways of visually
displaying things, new concepts and ways to deal with challenging student behaviour
(APST: 1.2, 3.6). During my career, I will always continuously develop my skills and
knowledge through professional development courses, collaboration with fellow
colleagues, involvement in all aspects of school life and through my own personal
research (APST: 6.2, 6.3). I want to pass on my passion for learning to students and
experience their journey with them as they transition into the next steps in their lives.

The main characteristics of my teaching style include devotion, enthusiasm, goal

directed approaches and effective use of technology in order to boost learning
motivation. (APST: 3.1, 2.6). I want each of my classrooms to be an environment
that inspires curiosity, creativity and determination among my students. My students
will always feel comfortable in asking for assistance and will not be scared in giving
their opinion or answers no matter how off track they could be. Students should feel
appreciated, important, safe and believed in. I want all my students to not be perfect,
but to reach their upmost potential on a daily basis, learn from their mistakes and
always try their hardest. Good teaching “…is not just a matter of knowing one’s
subject, being efficient, having the correct competences, or learning all the right
techniques. Good teachers are emotional, passionate beings who connect with their
students and fill their work and their classes with please, creativity, challenge and
joy.” (Hargreaves, 1998, p. 835). My past mentor teachers have portrayed me as
being patient, dedicated, self-efficient and driven.

As an educator, I will strive to uphold the following:

 The well-being of my students. myself and my colleagues

 Hold a positive outlook for all students and expect each and every student to
prosper (APST: 1.6, 4.1)
 Be organised and prepared (APST: 4.2)
 Communicate efficiently with parents, students and my fellow staff (APST: 7.3,
6.3).
 Continually reflect on my own practices (APST: 3.6).
 Build resilience in myself and most importantly my students.
 At no time lose my devotion to teaching