A Tribute to My
Favorite Teachers
My favourite teacher...I can't say that I have one but a few favourite teachers. Two standout for me - Mr. Schultz my Grade 7 math teacher and Pat Blake a former principal I used to work with.
Mr. Schultz was my Grade 7 math teacher. Growing up I really didn't enjoy math and as a result I didn't do too well in the subject until I had him as my teacher. What made him standout from my other teachers was that he really demonstrated that he cared about my learning and success in the course. This was demonstrated through his time and patience he showed about my progress. He really made me believe in myself that, "I can do this!", which made a difference in the way I saw myself and how I learned to regain my self-confidence to overcome difficulties.
Pat Blake - came by a lot later but she was an adult who I had learnt from. She was the first principal to interview me for a Grade 8 Math, Science and Tech teaching position in Burlington. Overall the interview went as many interview go, until she asked me, "How will you make a difference in your students?". Although a simple question it stricked me to think about me as an educator. How will I make a difference? Although a first year teacher, Pat always coached me, when faced with a challenge, by helping me realising how to move forward by asking me this question. As a result it made me aware what I value as an educator.
Thanks to Mr. Schultz and Pat the enduring impression they have left on me is that to make a difference you need to:
No matter what subject or grade level I have taught over the years - many of my students have told me that what sets me apart from other teachers is that I care which makes them believe in themselves no matter what challenge they are faced with.
Mr. Schultz was my Grade 7 math teacher. Growing up I really didn't enjoy math and as a result I didn't do too well in the subject until I had him as my teacher. What made him standout from my other teachers was that he really demonstrated that he cared about my learning and success in the course. This was demonstrated through his time and patience he showed about my progress. He really made me believe in myself that, "I can do this!", which made a difference in the way I saw myself and how I learned to regain my self-confidence to overcome difficulties.
Pat Blake - came by a lot later but she was an adult who I had learnt from. She was the first principal to interview me for a Grade 8 Math, Science and Tech teaching position in Burlington. Overall the interview went as many interview go, until she asked me, "How will you make a difference in your students?". Although a simple question it stricked me to think about me as an educator. How will I make a difference? Although a first year teacher, Pat always coached me, when faced with a challenge, by helping me realising how to move forward by asking me this question. As a result it made me aware what I value as an educator.
Thanks to Mr. Schultz and Pat the enduring impression they have left on me is that to make a difference you need to:
- Believe in your students that they can achieve
- Keep the best interest of your students priority and
- Care about them not just as unique individuals, but care about what they bring to the table about themselves and their progress by showing interest.
No matter what subject or grade level I have taught over the years - many of my students have told me that what sets me apart from other teachers is that I care which makes them believe in themselves no matter what challenge they are faced with.