Hannah Davies
My Teaching Philosophy
When I was in school, regardless of grade or age, the things that stuck with me and that I still remember today are the things that I decided to research and learn about on my own. Through this I gained a lifelong love of books, history, mythology, what have you, because someone gave me free reign to research as I liked. One of those interests encompassed psychology as well. Because of this, I tend to ascribe to the group of social cognitive learning theories, because I believe so strongly that one’s social environment affects one’s learning. I believe that the more welcomed and supported a student feels, the more willing they will be to learn. Keeping minds open and excited to be in school is the best way to get a student to learn what you need them to learn. Giving them a subject and free reign to find out what they can in whatever way they wish gives the student the freedom they need to find a love of the subject.
Constructivism in particular, or the idea that you have to get the information on your own in order to really know it, is exactly what I believe. Students who go out and learn on their own in order to explain what it is they have learned will retain information worlds better than those who are sat and lectured at all day.
My ideal classroom situation would be one in which I can allow students to explore the subject matter on their own within the parameters of that day’s lesson, and I can point them in the direction of materials or resources they might be able to utilize. Then, we can come together so the students can fill in the gaps of information for each other, and I can fill in what they miss.
My Classroom Management Philosophy
A students first impression of a teacher starts before they meet them- it begins when the student steps into the classroom for the first time. The way a teacher creates their learning environment says a lot about how they will be as a teacher. I plan on having a very adaptable classroom, because as a theatre teacher I will need my classroom to be multifunctional. The “default setting”, as it were, would be to have chairs set up for the students in a circle, as this promotes a very leveling environment for both students and teacher. It also helps with accountability for the students because I will be able to see all of them and they will all be able to see each other- it is very hard to get away with texting, for instance, when there is nothing to hide behind. This is how my classroom will be set up for the first day of classes.
As the students come in to sit down, I will be there to greet them and pass out a syllabus to each of them, detailing not only our lessons for the semester, but also a sheet of classroom rules they would be required to sign and return to me. This would immediately ensure that the students understand what I expect from them, and what they should in turn expect from me. The rules would cover everything from banned electronics to behavioral expectations. I plan on running my theatre class in a way that will introduce the students to professional theatrical standards, increasing these expectations with every level of class they take (beginning, intermediate, advanced, etc.). This means absolutely no cell phones, a low tolerance for tardiness or absences, and a promise to show the utmost respect for one’s peers. After all, acting is about opening oneself up to more vulnerable emotions so they can be honestly portrayed onstage- a safe and secure learning environment is a must. This, having been laid out in the syllabus along with our plan for the semester, will help the students understand what they will be doing and learning in my class.
Consequently, were they to violate a rule they would need to face an appropriate punishment. If I see a phone out in class, I would take that phone until the end of class. If a student were late to rehearsal without prior consent, they would need to sweep and mop the performance space before the next rehearsal. What should most delicately be handled would be a lack of respect or kindness between students. I understand that not everyone will get along all the time in my classroom, however, rudeness and bullying will absolutely not be tolerated. Should I hear of such behavior occurring, I will take both parties aside and speak with them privately, and decide what should be done on a case by case basis.
For an everyday class, I would hold to a simple pattern. The students will come in, put their backpacks in the back of the room, and I would lead them in warm ups until they feel comfortable warming up as a group on their own, This serves to get them in the proper headspace for my classroom, a kind of meditative break that comes with the repetition of physical and vocal warm ups all performers utilize. Next, we would have a brief class meeting where I quickly go through the lesson plan for that day- if it is an activity or practice day, the chairs would be put away in stacks for optimum space to work, and if it is a lecture day, they are turned so they could see the board and whatever it is we are covering that day. Lastly, homework would be assigned, and the classroom would be restored to it’s original position to show respect to the next class. I am confident that this plan is structured enough to provide safety, while maintaining enough adaptability to give myself room to improvise as needed.