Throughout my school years, I have had many different teachers who all implemented a variety of teaching styles. There have been classes I have thoroughly enjoyed because of the teacher, and classes where I couldn’t wait for the bell to release me because of similar reasons. As I am working to become a teacher, I look back on my experiences as a student in the classroom, and one teacher sticks out. This particular teacher actually goes by the title ‘professor’, as she teaches at Reinhardt University. Professor Elizabeth Smith has been an ideal role model for me when it comes to how I desire to manage my classroom and engage with my students. Even though she teaches in the college setting and thus has …show more content…
I distinctly remember going into my 8am class annoyed at having to be up early only to be met with a smiling face the moment I walked into the classroom. It is this personality that makes it so easy to connect with Professor Smith on a personal level. Every student can see the she genuinely wants to get to know her students and know what they are interested in. I fully believe that the first step in helping students grow mentally is connecting with them personally and making them feel accepted and loved in the classroom. Professor Smith encompasses this trait to the fullest extent. I know I can always go into her office and talk with her about anything that is going on. From signing up to classes and preparing for graduation to talking about my plans for the summer break and my cross-country season, I have had a variety of conversations with Professor Smith. I have gone into her office and discussed my frustrations, planned my career goals, asked for advice, and so much more. I have developed a personal relationship with Professor Smith that helps me to be sure that she only wants the best for …show more content…
I have confidence to share with Professor Smith if I am confused or don’t understand something. I know that she will not look at me in a poor mindset if I ask a question that may seem simple. She accomplishes this by incorporating an incentive to ask questions or ask for clarification. Often within a math course, if a teacher makes a mistake during a problem, students will complain of confusion and shut out the remainder of the math problem. Professor Smith encourages her students to find any unintentional mistakes within her board work. For every mistake that the classroom correctly identifies, they will receive a bonus point on the next exam. This ‘game’ keeps students engaged in the work and keeps them comparing their work to what is on the board. Students gain a confidence to point out what they believe to be errors, and if they incorrectly identify an error, Professor Smith has the opportunity to re-explain a point or step in a problem. This strategy works to the benefit of both the teacher and the student. I know it kept me more engaged in the learning process, which in turn helped to manage any potential classroom behavior