This quote by Joseph Campbell has stuck with me ever since I first discovered it when I was in college. In addition to it impacting my own choices in life, and how I have tried to raise my children, this quote personifies my student-centered teaching philosophy.
Because I was encouraged to do and learn about my what truly interested me, I am fortunate to have a job that I love and that matches my interests and talents. I believe that when we follow our bliss, and pursue paths that captivate our attention and keep us curious and learning, great things will happen -- and this includes a satisfying and meaningful career. In these days of preparing our students to be "college and career ready" it seems more important than ever that we give students opportunities to find and follow their bliss. Instructionally, that means finding ways to peak our students' interest, keep them engaged and curious, and allow them multiple means of learning. Arts Integration is an excellent vehicle for helping students to find and follow their bliss.
My goal each day is for every student to feel relaxed, welcomed, encouraged, successful, and happy during class. In this environment, students are able to learn effectively. When I am planning a lesson or structuring a class, I am always thinking about the students: What will engage them? What supports will they need to be successful? How can I create a positive, structured environment that includes room for self-expression and choice? One strategy I've used with success is that I play music at the start of each class -- current pop songs, classic rock and roll, and everything in between. I know I am successful creating this positive environment when I see students bopping in their seats as they listen to the song, or -- if I'm lucky -- singing the lyrics in unison. I also try to create a consistent structure that incorporates a clear agenda, choices, and a mix of whole group and small group instruction. Additionally, I've become accustomed to using electronic tools and resources daily, so students can access materials at different paces and in different ways.
This student-centered focus, in which I seek to make the classroom a welcome and engaging place, is crucial to helping my students appreciate good literature, write clearly for a variety of purposes, use their creativity, communicate effectively, and follow their bliss.
Because I was encouraged to do and learn about my what truly interested me, I am fortunate to have a job that I love and that matches my interests and talents. I believe that when we follow our bliss, and pursue paths that captivate our attention and keep us curious and learning, great things will happen -- and this includes a satisfying and meaningful career. In these days of preparing our students to be "college and career ready" it seems more important than ever that we give students opportunities to find and follow their bliss. Instructionally, that means finding ways to peak our students' interest, keep them engaged and curious, and allow them multiple means of learning. Arts Integration is an excellent vehicle for helping students to find and follow their bliss.
My goal each day is for every student to feel relaxed, welcomed, encouraged, successful, and happy during class. In this environment, students are able to learn effectively. When I am planning a lesson or structuring a class, I am always thinking about the students: What will engage them? What supports will they need to be successful? How can I create a positive, structured environment that includes room for self-expression and choice? One strategy I've used with success is that I play music at the start of each class -- current pop songs, classic rock and roll, and everything in between. I know I am successful creating this positive environment when I see students bopping in their seats as they listen to the song, or -- if I'm lucky -- singing the lyrics in unison. I also try to create a consistent structure that incorporates a clear agenda, choices, and a mix of whole group and small group instruction. Additionally, I've become accustomed to using electronic tools and resources daily, so students can access materials at different paces and in different ways.
This student-centered focus, in which I seek to make the classroom a welcome and engaging place, is crucial to helping my students appreciate good literature, write clearly for a variety of purposes, use their creativity, communicate effectively, and follow their bliss.