Teacher as a metaphor: Alberta Road Map
“Students, where do you want to go today? Do you want to see how high you can climb the Rocky Mountains? Do you want to try tubing down the Oldman River until it meets the Bow? Do you want to explore a region you’ve never visited before?”
I believe the purpose of education is to create individuals who are continuous, lifelong learners. One of my goals as a teacher is to instill in my students a love of learning by seeking avenues to connect classroom lessons to real-world settings. As my students embark on their learning journeys, I envision myself as a road map — specifically an Alberta road map since I follow provincial programs of study and will one day apply for certification to teach Kindergarten to Grade 12 in Alberta. As a teacher, I present incentive and information in creative and colourful ways to help drive my students’ desire to learn.
As a teacher, I am adaptable. Similarly, maps take many forms. There’s the traditional paper map that’s been guiding travellers for ages and there’s the newer high-tech navigation system GPS. Like GPS, where technology is a tool that delivers information and doesn’t take centre stage, technology in my classroom enhances lessons and doesn’t detract from them.
As a teacher, I support learners of all abilities by ensuring the path they travel matches their abilities. The road should never be too easy or too difficult for students to navigate. The degree of difficulty should be just right. I apply the Rule of Three and provide multiple routes to arrive at the same destination. If students are just learning how to ride a three-wheeled tricycle or a motorized vehicle, I may recommend a smooth, newly paved highway. If they are academically talented, I may challenge them to spread their wings and take flight in a hot-air balloon. I also acknowledge that no two travellers move at the same pace and some students will reach their final destinations before others.
As a teacher, I join Alberta Education in ensuring schools are “caring, respectful, safe . . . positive, (and) productive places.” I want my students to feel safe and secure while learning. I want them to view mistakes as learning opportunities. If they hit a roadblock of frustration or waning motivation, I will be there to guide them through a detour so they can continue on their journey. I will be there to encourage students who travel too slow and rein in those who try to speed through their material. There are times when I will encourage all students to speed along and other times when I get them to slow down and enjoy the scenery.
As a teacher, it is my hope that I will introduce students to learning journeys that they never imagined existed.
I believe the purpose of education is to create individuals who are continuous, lifelong learners. One of my goals as a teacher is to instill in my students a love of learning by seeking avenues to connect classroom lessons to real-world settings. As my students embark on their learning journeys, I envision myself as a road map — specifically an Alberta road map since I follow provincial programs of study and will one day apply for certification to teach Kindergarten to Grade 12 in Alberta. As a teacher, I present incentive and information in creative and colourful ways to help drive my students’ desire to learn.
As a teacher, I am adaptable. Similarly, maps take many forms. There’s the traditional paper map that’s been guiding travellers for ages and there’s the newer high-tech navigation system GPS. Like GPS, where technology is a tool that delivers information and doesn’t take centre stage, technology in my classroom enhances lessons and doesn’t detract from them.
As a teacher, I support learners of all abilities by ensuring the path they travel matches their abilities. The road should never be too easy or too difficult for students to navigate. The degree of difficulty should be just right. I apply the Rule of Three and provide multiple routes to arrive at the same destination. If students are just learning how to ride a three-wheeled tricycle or a motorized vehicle, I may recommend a smooth, newly paved highway. If they are academically talented, I may challenge them to spread their wings and take flight in a hot-air balloon. I also acknowledge that no two travellers move at the same pace and some students will reach their final destinations before others.
As a teacher, I join Alberta Education in ensuring schools are “caring, respectful, safe . . . positive, (and) productive places.” I want my students to feel safe and secure while learning. I want them to view mistakes as learning opportunities. If they hit a roadblock of frustration or waning motivation, I will be there to guide them through a detour so they can continue on their journey. I will be there to encourage students who travel too slow and rein in those who try to speed through their material. There are times when I will encourage all students to speed along and other times when I get them to slow down and enjoy the scenery.
As a teacher, it is my hope that I will introduce students to learning journeys that they never imagined existed.