English Proficiency: Final reflection

Name: Nicole Vargas Torres

Professors: Mrs. Michelle Porra and
Mrs. Carmen Gloria Sáez
Date: January 14th, 2019
 My Teaching Philosophy: Final Reflections

Introduction
The aim of this following extract is to introduce several reflections about the teaching
process and my own ideas about it. Additionally, I am going to provide a rubric created by
me in which people can see how a great teacher could be, this regarding to my own point of
view.

REFLECTION 1: Personal definition of teaching

In my own words, being able to teach is to transform students’ life. If a teacher can give
values, knowledge and support to every single learner in his or her class, the teaching and
the learning process will be successful in all aspects. On the other hand, it is crucial to keep
in mind that every student is different from the rest and the teacher needs to be able to
tolerate and to respect their beliefs and ideas equally.

REFLECTION 2: What type of teacher are you?

(adapted from Apps, J. (1991). Mastering the Teaching of Adults. Malabar, FL: Krieger Publishing Co., pp. 23-24)

According to the metaphors previously given in the document; I am a “challenger” teacher,

due to the fact that this kind of teachers help students to see that subject matter in a fresh
and dynamic way, and here, it is relevant that students have to develop their critical
thinking skills. In my personal experience, I can say that I was able to do this in my
practicum center because I always asked questions to my students in order to see their
opinions about a topic and they needed to say to me why they though in that way.
Additionally, I tried to prepare my lessons in a dynamic and meaningful way without
forgetting students’ context and behaviors.
Now, in terms of what kind of metaphors suit in a less way with my teaching style, I can
say that it is the called “bucket fillers” because in my opinion, I completely disagree on the
believing that students are buckets, especially empty buckets. I do believe learners are
individuals with previous knowledge, opinions and facts and under no circumstances they
will be more educated if they acquire more knowledge. In conclusion, I could say, if we
give them the tools, students can achieve learning in a meaningful way.

REFLECTION 3: Great Teacher Rubric

Great Teacher Rubric Template
Quality Model for others Average Needs improvement
3 points 2 points 1 point

Creativity The teacher always provides a The teacher often uses The teacher rarely gives a
creative environment in his/her his/her creativity in classes. creative lesson to his/her
lessons. students.

Good listener He or she can listen to every He or she can listen to He or she cannot listen his/her
students’ opinions in the class students, but not all the students without disagree on
without contradicts them. time. some of their opinions or ideas.

Set the rules He or she sets his/her rules He or she sets the rules of He or she never mentions before
from the beginning of the his/her class; however, he any rule or step to follow by
lesson and he or she verifies if or she sometimes forgets to students in the class.
those rules are achieved. verify if those are achieved.

Proficiency in The teacher shows a The teacher shows a The teacher does not show a
teaching proficiency level in lessons and proficiency level in class; proficiency level in his/her
process he or she is always in constant however, he or she rarely lessons.
learning to be better. updates his/her knowledge.

Respect and The teacher shows respect for The teacher tolerates The teacher sometimes uses
tolerance every single student in lessons students’ differences in the disrespectful comments about
and outside the classroom. classroom. students’ differences in class.

FINAL REFLECTION: What did you learn?

Proficiency classes had taught me several content through this semester. First, I thought this
class would be quite the opposite of what it was; it showed me how different people are in
terms of learning, values, background and teaching. Most of us tended to have everything
not so clear, this regarding to our teaching process; however, now I must say I have
everything clear in how I want to be as a teacher in the future; the kind of teacher who
listens and speaks with confidence and the kind of teacher who gives values and
encouragement to others. On the other hand, I need to be able to set rules and to show
respect in every context of the school.
Finally going back to the first point, I must say that English Proficiency taught me that is
good to have a diverse classroom and environment with different nuances because students
and teachers benefit from this in terms of exchanging ideas, interacting with others and at
the same time, respecting other in every circumstances.