Five groups of students are clustered around the whiteboards in my classroom, animatedly discussing the questions they are formulating. The conversation goes something like this: "Okay, what about this - to what extent does Ondaatje's use of simile communicate the theme?" "Yes, but we have to say what the theme is." "Being a foreigner in his native country? Isolation?" This is true engagement: students challenging each other, asking questions, collaborating. Later, these students will lead their own discussion focused on the ideas they have generated while I observe and occasionally redirect.

 

Tomorrow, we might practice our active listening skills through some improv comedy exercises, or work on storytelling to improve our stage presence. 

 

This snapshot of my classroom illustrates the three underlying principles of my teaching philosophy:  a strong sense of community, a learner-centered environment, and learning to value life-long learning.

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Building Community

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Many years ago, one of my favorite teachers asked her class to “risk for the sake of learning.” We were able to do so because she had created a safe and inclusive classroom community. Having seen the benefits of this ethos, I embraced it when I became a teacher. I spend the first few weeks of the year establishing community by dedicating time for students to build relationships. The classroom is successful when students recognize commonalities, value their classmates’ different perspectives, and collaborate. By modeling inclusivity and delighting in my students’ myriad gifts, the roots of our community grow stronger. 

 

 

Learner Centered Environment 

 

My classroom is a dynamic space: students are seated in home groups where they sit facing each other, not the front of the room. We move, talk, and share ideas constantly. Apart from physical space, I work to create a stimulating and engaging atmosphere for all students. At the beginning of the year, students take a personality inventory where they can share their interests and passions. These surveys guide me as I create content or craft delivery. For example, one of my classes had several musicians, so we created a rap about the coordinating conjunctions. 

 

Students take an active role in charting the course of their learning. In our current non-fiction unit, we are studying the novel Night. After spending a week building background knowledge, students formulated burning questions that they will research independently throughout the unit. I embrace this curiosity and students love sharing their discoveries. My classroom is a place where a love of knowledge and curiosity are nurtured through a culture of joyful learning.  
   
                                         Life Long Learning 

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One of the most important words in my classroom is “yet.” Students value both asking questions and finding answers, with the understanding that even if they don’t understand a concept immediately, knowledge is not a fixed destination. As a firm believer in having fun while learning, I infuse my teaching with joy and enthusiasm, which is contagious for my learners. Students leave my classroom with a love of learning that will propel them to success.