Teaching Philosophy
From a very young age, I accompanied my mother to her classroom. I watched her change her career path several times, from art teacher to special education teacher to principal. Regardless of the school she was located, her passion for teaching never wavered. Our dinner table conversations were always turned into Socratic seminars, questioning how she could reach the student in the back of the classroom struggling or the impact of short term and long-term memorization within a lesson plan. Our countless family trips to historical places and art museums only pushed my mother’s passion for teaching on to me. I loved to soak up every ounce of knowledge that I could. It was not until college that I realized that through teaching, I could not only continue this learning, but create this similar drive and experience for others. The most important lessons that I incorporate into my teaching philosophy, I have learned from my mother. Each part of my philosophy is accompanied by a quote that I have learned from her. Within my own classroom, I hope to recognize each student as an individual and create an environment that empowers my students. My goal is to utilize these within my classroom. All students are individuals that each have their own unique learning style.
“Everyone’s a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” In order to bring valuable instruction to every student within my classroom, I believe it is imperative for a teacher to use multiple teaching styles and methods to reach their students. Within my own classroom, my implementation of these tactics helped me reach students that I never imagined I would be able to make an impact on. I used to teach an acting course and was once presented with a student that never talked. I remember thinking how am I to teach this student acting, if they will not even read the script? I had to change my entire teaching style in order to reach this student, instead of instructing her to speak, I worked on her acting skills kinesthetically. By the end of the course, I was shocked to see her speaking louder than her peers on the stage. Documentary filmmaking has the unique opportunity to encompass all of the teaching styles: linguistic, visual, auditory, as well as hands on learning. As a teacher, I hope to ensure that every student leaves my classroom with an understanding and knowledge that fit their learning needs.
Teaching is creating an environment where students can take risks and learn through a higher level of critical thinking.
William Butler Yeats said, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” This quote reflects a major part of my teaching philosophy. When looking at a pail of water, there is only so much water we can fill it with, but a fire can grow bigger and bigger. For me, teaching is lighting that kind of fire within my students, that encourages them to continue to want to learn and experience more. Teaching a student to grow a love for learning creates an impact that continues throughout their life. When I look back on my own education, I value most the teachers that worked to light my own fire whether that be through their personal mentorship or through hands-on and meaningful education they provided me. This philosophy heavily influenced my teaching style, education is not about memorization or test taking, it is about the real-life experiences and critical thinking that can be produced within the classroom. As a teacher, I find it imperative to provide my students with an education that they carry with them throughout their lives, whether that be through an interest in the topic of documentary film or the life skills they take with them.
From an early age, my mother has taught me about what it means to make a powerful impact on a student’s life. As I begin my own career as a teacher, I only hope that I can leave such an impact on a student as she has done for me.
Teaching Experience
- Visual Storytelling (COM 309), Teaching Assistant with Chris Zaluski, undergraduate-level, Wake Forest University: Fall 2020 (Syllabus)
- After Effects Master Class, undergraduate-level, Frostburg State University: Spring 2022
- Fundamentals of Video and Film Production, undergraduate-level, University of North Carolina Charlotte: Spring 2023
- Editing Film & Media, undergraduate-level, University of North Carolina Charlotte: Spring 2023
- Introduction to Film, undergraduate-level, University of North Carolina Charlotte: Online Asynchronous Course Summer 2023
- Audio Storytelling and Podcasting, undergraduate-level, University of North Carolina Charlotte: Fall 2023
- Fundamentals of Film and Media, undergraduate-level, University of North Carolina Charlotte: Fall 2023
Student Testimonials