The primary tenet of my teaching philosophy is that the classroom needs to be an engaging place that motivates students to learn, and it is my responsibility to provide students with this environment in every class meeting. I believe that I can effectively put my philosophy into practice using three teaching strategies: 1. being supportive of my students; 2. generating interest in the course by presenting material in a variety of ways; and 3. making meaningful connections between the course content and students’ interests.

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Starting with the first day of class, students are made aware of the emphasis I place on their success. I explain that I am always happy to answer any questions about course assignments or help them with course material that might be challenging. I encourage them to make me aware of any academic or personal difficulties as soon as possible, so that we have enough time to create a plan for their success together. Providing students with a supportive environment helps them feel more comfortable in the classroom and motivates them to learn more.

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A visit to my classroom would show that the course content is presented in a variety of ways to appeal to different learning styles. While lecture slides provide the foundation of the lesson, they are supplemented with informational graphics and videos that visually illustrate concepts. Students are also encouraged to participate in class discussions about the real-world applications of topics I think are most relevant to them, while some discussions occur spontaneously as a result of students’ questions. In addition, class assignments are also based on real-world applications and provide students with an opportunity to practice relevant skills such as critical evaluation of news stories, blog posts, and research articles; other activities encourage students to participate in self-reflection and real-life simulations.

 

The ability to make an impact on my students’ lives through teaching is a responsibility I take very seriously. My work as an instructor is never done; I continue to search for innovative ideas and strategies to improve my classroom experience and maximize student engagement. I keep myself up-to-date on emerging knowledge and research so that I can share the latest updates with my students and keep them informed. When students complete my class, I hope they have gained a new appreciation for the developmental and psychological concepts that are relevant to adults of all ages and can apply these to their own lives and careers.