Module 1 Effective Teaching

In this week's assignment, we were introduced to "Educational Psychology", our textbook by Anita Woolfolk. In reading the content, I was familiar with some of the terms and some of the history associated with the psychologists. I read through the material carefully because even though some of it was review material from previous Psychology classes, there was some information that was new to me and more detailed than what I have studied. One of the more interesting topics in Chapter 1 was the "What is Good Teaching"? features. To me, this is a question that can be answered by students, other teachers, parents, and administration. Each instructor will eventually develop a style that is comfortable and tailored to fit the needs of the students. They must become versatile and know how to do many things for many people. I feel that I could construct a classroom environment that would be conducive to learning and growing with a positive climate. 

Being a new teacher does intimidate me because I carry no experience with me as of yet. However, because I have a family, I feel as though a classroom full of students that might have the same anxieties as mine might be a good experience. We would learn together. Getting to know students is one of the things I look forward to. Some of my concerns would be: the impact of my lessons, the feedback from my students, the relationship with parents and the community and satisfaction with my own efforts. 

As I continued to read the textbook, some of the material was very interesting. In particular, Chapter 2 was very detailed. I have studied psychologists Piaget and Vygotsky. However, after reading about them again, my understanding was opened more. It is vital to me to understand the mechanisms of how the brain develops and functions. It makes more sense knowing that different parts are responsible for how we think, feel, judge, and laugh. Just as important, the brain's function accounts for how we learn. I understand the reason why we should have knowledge of the way it is structured and its job. For those who want to teach middle school students or junior high students, it is good to understand the adolescent development of the brain. It would explain what society sometimes calls "Teen Brain". 
Studying the beliefs and theories of Piaget and Vygotsky is important too. Though some of Piaget's theory is limited, some of his principles are studied, such as schemes and the 4 stages of cognitive development, from infancy through college.(44-45) We watch and observe children using these stages from the infant stage to the high school and college stage and sometimes beyond. I have children. Early on in my motherhood I was not aware of the psychology aspect of children. I raised them to the best of my ability and from what I was taught. Little did I know I would be studying this subject. Now I look back and I can see how I some of these theories fit into the different stages of growth. I did notice and observe milestones in their lives but I did them as a mother would. The more I read and study, the better my understanding is coming. Even when I read about Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development, I reflect back on the times when my children were small. Did I support my child when learning how to complete a task, did I allow them to do it with no help or did I do it myself? Now that I can identify these terms and theories, I can look back at my teaching methods at home and assess my methods and the children's growth in different stages. 
Since I have raised children who are now adults, teens, and preteens, I am well-versed in the topics in Chapter 3 of the textbook. From one end of the emotional spectrum to the next, this chapter speaks volumes to me. Watching my children grow and learn has been one of the brightest spots in my life. While it has not been easy by no stretch of the imagination, it has been an experience second to none. Just like I watched them develop into wonderful, responsible humans, I wish the same for my students. I want to care for their well-being as if they are my own. There will be stages of growth that are difficult, such as puberty and peer pressures. These experiences will ones of growth too. 

Effective teaching to me is a method in which a teacher uses resources to the best of their ability to help a student achieve success. My 6th grade teacher Mr. Durning was an effective teacher. He went above and beyond to teach our class. He always had the most interesting lessons for us. He was funny and engaging too. I always felt that he got just as much out of his lessons as we did. Mr. Durning was a really great teacher. I aspire to lead my students into greatness. I know it will be a lot of hard work involved. I look forward to it. Teaching is privilege. Being a teacher will be one of the most important roles that I perform.