Leanne Healy's Portfolio
Philosophy
Philosophy of Teaching
By Leanne Healy
Do you remember when you first learned to ride a bicycle? Was there a person there to guide and support you along the way? To me, that is the role of a teacher. As a teacher I will believe in you and your abilities. I will allow you to make mistakes and to learn from them. I will give you knowledge and encourage you to take that knowledge and make it your own. I will sculpt a community of learners to give you the opportunity to communicate with others as you continue to make meaningful connections about the world around you. I will be there to help celebrate your success!
As an online facilitator for instructional assistants, I strive to model the teacher described above. I strive to bring my personality and teaching style into the online arena as I focus on providing learning opportunities for my students. Personality can be displayed in many ways online. From using humor in emails to acknowledging students’ ideas in discussions, I strive to provide a comfortable atmosphere where students are willing to take chances. I also want my students challenged. It is best if the students are empowered to challenge themselves as well as their classmates. This involves community building through common goal setting, discussions and small group activities. To create these communities of learning one must move from the role of “Sage on the Stage” to the role of Guide on the Side.”
Learning theories and instinct tell me that learners need to be active contributors in the process. Over the years certain theories I’ve studied have melded together into my personal teaching style. From Bloom’s Taxonomy, to Accelerating Learning to the Learning Cycle to Andragogy to Social Constructivism and to Critical Thinking the EASy Way. I am a life-long learner. I will continue growing as an educator so that I may help my students find their balance.
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