What is teaching?

I am trying my best to come up with an answer that shows my thinking and understanding about teaching. In my view, teaching is the process of guiding students toward acquiring knowledge. The teacher serves as a guide, giving them information and ensuring that all students get what they need to achieve their goals. The teacher also plays a pivotal role in nurturing critical thinking skills and fostering a love for learning. By creating an engaging and inclusive classroom environment, teachers help students develop confidence and self-efficacy. Moreover, they provide emotional support and mentorship, which are crucial for the holistic development of each student.

What is learning?

Learning, as mentioned in my above statement, is the acquisition of new information and knowledge.

Learning is a lifelong process, and it starts when a baby is born and grows every day. Especially in today’s world where new learning happens in every area of life and one has to stay updated with information.

Teacher clapping with students

Why do I want to be a teacher?

It is an excellent question. I was initially an informal teacher and formal tutor in a refugee school when I was just 18 years old after completing high school. I built a strong connection with little kids, and I taught them basic literacy and numeracy skills. I taught for over a year, and I always thought those were the best years of my life. As life went on, I had multiple opportunities to guide young children and youth in different ways and capacities. I also informally taught Oxford curriculum to grades 6 and 7 textbooks in a private school for four years. However, I will be formally teaching after 15 years, and I have good feelings about it. I am naturally a social person and like to connect,  guide, and learn from others.  These past teaching experiences have profoundly shaped my teaching philosophy. They taught me the importance of connecting with students on a personal level, understanding their unique needs, and fostering an environment where every student feels valued and supported. This foundation has strengthened my belief in the power of empathy, patience, and adaptability in the classroom.

My vision about learning and teaching

I remember from my own childhood learning experiences that I learned more from my engaging and kind teachers, who made learning more fun, engaging, and enjoyable. All the questions were encouraged, and learning was participatory. But I also experienced the vice versa, which was not about the subject but the teaching that mattered. While my past teaching experiences were rooted in informal and volunteer settings, my future teaching goals are centered around creating a structured yet dynamic classroom environment. I aim to incorporate technology and innovative teaching methods to engage students actively. My goal is to blend the empathy and personal connection from my past with modern educational strategies to ensure every student reaches their full potential.