Professional Reflection
As a pre-service teacher, my vision is to create a classroom where every learner feels
safe, valued, welcomed, and excited to learn. My goal is to help learners grow into
curious and capable individuals. This vision is encapsulated in my slogan which is
"Learning together, growing together." This simple phrase reflects my belief that
education is a collaborative journey where both the educator and learners learn and
grow from each other.
One of my key strengths as a teacher is my enthusiasm, I bring a lot of energy and
passion to all my lessons, which helps to engage and motivate learners to learn, my
flexibility is another strength; I am able to adjust my teaching strategies to suit the
different needs of my learners. Clear communication is also a strong point for me, I
make sure that I explain the content in a way that learners can understand, which helps
to build strong relationships and trust. Creating a positive classroom environment is
something I pride myself on, I strive to make my classroom a friendly and encouraging
environment where learners feel safe to express themselves. Additionally, I am also
good with technology and use it to make learning fun and interactive, which resonates
well with today's digital-native learners.
However, I am aware of certain weaknesses in my teaching practice that I need to
address. Time management is a significant challenge for me so far; I often run out of
time and can't cover everything I planned because I tend to over explain certain
concepts and also allow learners to share their thoughts and ideas. To turn this
weakness into a strength, I plan to make more detailed lesson plans with specific time
limits for each discussion, activity, and practice. Another area for improvement is my use
of varied assessment methods, I need to incorporate more different ways to check if
learners understand the material. I will learn about different assessment techniques and
try using quizzes, projects, and peer reviews to better gauge learner learning.
Behaviour management is another area where I sometimes feel unsure. To build
confidence in this area, I plan to observe experienced teachers more and get tips on
managing challenging behaviours, my mentor lecture also encouraged me to go through
the classroom rules at the beginning of each lesson.
Reflecting on my journey from my first teaching practice to now, I honestly see
significant growth. Initially, I was quite nervous and unsure of myself, but I have gained
much more confidence over time, I have also expanded my repertoire of teaching
techniques, making my lessons more interesting and engaging for learners, newer days
my learners engage more. My ability to involve learners in the learning process has
improved, leading to greater learner engagement and enthusiasm. Furthermore, I am
now better at giving constructive feedback. Building relationships with learners, and
colleagues has also become a strength, by creating a more supportive and collaborative
classroom environment.
My teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that every learner can succeed and
has to feel safe and respected in the classroom. I prioritize learner-cantered learning,
putting the needs and interests of my learners at the heart of everything I do. Inclusivity
is a core value for me, I strive to create a classroom where every learner feels welcome,
respected, and valued. Encouraging a love of learning is another key aspect of my
philosophy, I personally want my learners to be curious and enjoy learning, not just in
school but throughout their lives. Promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills is
essential, as these are crucial for success in today’s world. Finally, I aim to foster an
environment of empathy and respect, where kindness and working together are always
present.
Currently, I take responsibility for my professionalism by continuously learning. I
regularly read educational literature, and stay updated on best practices. I also do
online short courses that teach me more about inclusivity and classroom management,
Teach2030 has helped me a lot. Reflective practice is also important to me, I have been
keeping a journal to analyse my teaching experiences and identify areas for
improvement. Networking with other teachers through groups allowed me to share ideas
and gain support. As a beginner teacher, I plan to seek out and establish a mentor-
mentee relationship with an experienced teacher for guidance and support because my
mentor teachers have played a crucial role in my teaching practice journey. I will commit
to ongoing professional development opportunities to stay informed about new teaching
methods and educational research. Setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant,
and time-bound (SMART) goals for my professional growth will help me stay focused
and motivated. In conclusion I will actively seek and incorporate feedback from learners,
colleagues, and administrators to continuously improve my teaching practice.
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance will also be a priority, as it is essential for
sustaining long-term professional enthusiasm and personal well-being as I am a life-
long learner.
