Being able to understand students and their needs is very important as a teacher. As a tutor for 5 years, I have learned this lesson. Over the years, many different types of students have come to me needing help with their studies and being able to connect with them has been important in helping them succeed. Students need someone who can encourage them and assist them in becoming successful in their studies. The main vein that runs through my teaching philosophy is kindness but yet still drawing the best possible work out of my students. Learning is a process that takes steps, repetition and practice. A student might be able to learn a concept the first time it is explained to them, but the next time they look at what needs to be done or learned, they might complete forget it. Many teachers only teach a concept once and expect their students to know everything but it is important to be open to repeating material. Complicated subjects are not learned in one occurrence and students need to be receptive of repeating the steps in order to learn. In the classroom, I know the importance of a teacher working with the entire group but knowing when their students need one on one attention. In being attentive, it makes a difference in whether or not a student succeeds. A teacher is a third party viewer at times and they can use this to better perceive a student's needs that they may not be aware of. Teachers can make a difference in one person's life at a time and shape minds for the good. From my own experience of having a negative teacher, I see how in being so it will gain nothing. At the end of the day, they won't enjoy their job because they are negative and thus begins a vicious cycle of negativity. When a teacher knows the power they have and how they can use this for good, it is like they have a super power. When they use their powers for good, students will prosper and excel in their courses. One step at a time, a teacher can encourage and motivate students to be the best they can and become successful. I want my students to feel that I am approachable so that they can learn from me. When a student is afraid to approach their teacher, their questions will not be answered as a result. I want my students to respect me in my classroom but I don't want them to feel I am using my power as a teacher in the wrong way. In being a teacher, there is a pedestal that comes with it and students look up to you. It is important to exemplify what you teach in order to properly educate students. I also want students to see that it is okay to fail, as long as you keep working. Not everyone is a fast learner, but I know that through hard work they can gain the knowledge they need in order to succeed.
Maintaining proper study skills is one of the keys to being successful and the sooner students know this, the better. When I was a student, I would see many of my classmates procrastinating and at times I would even do it myself. It made learning much harder because it was something that had to be crammed into a time period. The biggest advantage a student can have is making a plan for their learning. I discovered this through tutoring my students. When I sat down and showed my students how to time manage, their grades would reflect their new found structure. It also lessened their testing anxiety because they did not wait. Therefore, I knew from the beginning that always having a plan would make myself and other successful. Life does not always go as planned, things will come up in the time you set aside to study or do homework but because the student plans, they can adapt much easier.
There will always be that one student who plans and studies but is still missing something in order to become successful. I have found that what they are missing is encouragement. When I encourage my tutees, they studied better because I was focusing on only the positives about them and assisting with what the felt was negative because they did not know an answer. I know that in order for students to be successful, they need someone who has patience and cheers them on. A simple, "good job" goes so far with students. I remember every compliment my teachers have paid toward me and as a result, I know it has driven me. When you have people around you believing and encouraging your studies, that alone can help your grades. I want to give to students what I have needed over the years in my education. Everyone can be successful with effort and a good attitude. That idea truly shapes my teaching philosophy.