D.C.Toni D. Blackshear, Ed.D, Ed.S
Philosophy of Teaching Statement
How do I think learning occurs?
It is my principle that knowledge is most effective when it can be applied to one’s personal life, whether mentally, spiritually, professionally, etc…. A students’ comprehension is enhanced when the approach most closely equivalent to his/her learning style. A student will more likely than not, voluntarily accept responsibility for his/her education when he/she is involved in doing something personally meaningful. A student’s efforts develop at astounding measures when he/she sees the personal remuneration that comes from his/her hard work.
I am also determinedly certain that vigorous assembly of some object, be it tangible or virtual, is necessary in order to make the learning more personal on an individual basis. Many times students are asked to learn in collective clusters that merely weaken the relations from one to another. Engaging in the assembly of an object permits students to monitor the relationships in the knowledge that they are obtaining and it allows them to liberally assemble that knowledge in ways that are most appropriate for them.
How can I facilitate this process?
My experience has been that one of the least productive ways to cultivate learning and knowledge building is to lecture to students. I feel that the responsibility of a teacher is to facilitate to students in order for them to connect with the material by whatever resources the students have selected. While this is made more complicated as the class dimension expands, it is far from impractical. My responsibility as an educator is to endow with my students the wherewithal and the support they require to for the most part successfully benefit from those resources. By engaging students in fructuous deliberations and by conducting their manifestation as to the evolution, I can progress from the position of power and progress into the role of collaborator.
What goals do I have for my students?
I desire for my students to discover what it means to be affiliates and practitioners of their chosen professional discipline with the field of Criminal Justice Education and Computer Science. I wish for students to gain the ability to perform analysis on subjects they are taking as part of a logical, complete and to be capable to relate what they have learned in innovative circumstances. I want them to be acquainted with where the discipline has derived and where it can or will lead. I want them to respect and importance of the views and ideology of others. I want them to be able to articulate their intellectual capacity and seal the educator role when called ahead.
What goals do I set for myself as a teacher?
I aspire to comprehend the needs and purpose of each of my students and to modify my instructional style and design as I continue to facilitate. I aspire to continue my diligent ability to maintain a high level of respect for my students, to be charitable when acknowledging their accomplishments, and compassionate with a tone of empathy when they descend. I strive to understanding the difficulties for which my students face and in their present and their future. I work hard to evade complacency by challenging my own views and beliefs while putting forth my best efforts to assist my students with their pursuit of academic excellence.
What do I do to implement this philosophy?
I try to introduce my style of teaching via genuine interest and passion for knowledge that I have for Education. I promote deliberations and the debate of fresh ideas. I expect students to contribute substance from their own life experiences. I prefer to use the term life development as a medium for information edifice and assessment rather than disconnected assignments and exams. I lecture only when the material for which needs to be covered dictates it. I encourage students to come to my office during my set scheduled times to discuss difficulties that they may be experiencing to facilitate the digression of their education progression for which they may need to express concerns or offer suggestions about the material or methods, or just need a listening ear. Most of all, I continue to expand my knowledge and cultivate my knowledge as it relates to Education, Computer Science and Criminal Justice disciplines, and by doing so, I can continuously assist my students with their pursuit of academic excellence via a quality education.
