Classroom Constitution
My teaching philosophy is firmly rooted in skills that transcend the walls of the classroom and that assist students in succeeding in their future endeavours (e.g., interpersonal skills, intrapersonal skills, and work ethic). It can best be summarized by four Ps: patience, participation, positivity, and perseverance.
Patience
The first of the four Ps addresses the importance of being patient of ourselves, of our peers, and of our learning process. Not everyone is going to learn at the same rate or learn the same way. As a result, it is important that we are aware, respectful, and of course, patient of those differences.
Positivity
The third of the four Ps speaks to the kind of culture that we wish to have in our classroom. First and foremost, we want our classroom to breed positivity. In other words, from the choice of language that is used to the type of attitude we bring to class, I want it to be of a nature that supports the classroom community and that promotes the well-being of others and of ourselves.
Participation
The second of the four Ps is imperative in a language classroom and in the learning experience. As both language and learning are forms of dialogue, they require participants in order to function. Consequently, at the core of language and learning lies participation.
Perseverance
The final P is a continuation of the first (i.e., patience). It is important to be patient with ourselves and with our unique learning process and when the learning process becomes difficult, it is just as important to persevere. It is the ability to come up against an obstacle, one that can seem overwhelming, daunting, or at times, impossible, and find a solution in order to overcome it. It is the ability and strength to work through the uncomfortable resistance even though our entire being is ready to give up. In our classroom, I value students who persevere through the uncomfortable resistance that is learning.
