Kimberly Steimer

TRED 207
9/21/2010
Teaching Beliefs

I have three main beliefs about teaching all of which impact the kind of teacher I

wish to become. First, I believe that the subject of science can be used as a powerful tool

to enrich our students’ lives by improving their critical thinking skills. Second, I believe

that as teachers we have the responsibility to create foster in our students a free-thinking,

globally aware mindset in our students. Lastly, I believe that we are only able to achieve

these goals through enthusiasm, passion and hard work.

I care about science and I want everyone to share this passion with me. However,

I know that this is not a very probable outcomenot necessarily true so I have instead

focused on trying to get people to understand that the field of science has something to

offer everyone. I think my duty as a teacher is to make an impact on a personal level to

the propagation understanding of science on in our society. EncouragingAllowing

students to view science as a way toof increaseing their abilityies to think critically as

opposed to the rote memorization of facts is empowering muchwill affect their lives well

beyond their one or two years in my classroom. If students can learn to think of science

as a way of thinking as opposed to a set of facts to memorize then they will be able to

apply this to all aspects of their lives, perhaps subjects that are much more interesting to

them personally. Teaching students to make decisions based on a logical process allows

them not only to follow the scientific method but gives them confidence that big projects

and goals can be broken down into achievable steps. Having a science-literate population

will enhance our lives and continue the level of innovation that we have become so proud

of in this country. Developing these skillsIt will show people allow people to not have a
fight for or against science but instead will create in people the powering of questioning

and the debate for or against science will be obsolete.

To extend this thought, I believe that as teachers our greatest responsibility is to

create people that are able to make decisions on their own volition. I believe tThat

forcing our opinions, politics or interests on our student’s is detrimentalonly them. We

must create free-thinking individuals that chose to be active participants in their world. I

was fortunate enough to attend an International Baccalaureate program in a great public

school in the city of Pittsburgh. I was pushed at a very young age to step out of my

comfort zone and to embrace the many viewpoints around me. I believe that if students,

in their tumultuous high school years are able to look beyond themselves this will benefit,

not only the students but the entire community as well. I believe that if we are all able to

look beyond ourselves, not only will the students will benefit during tumultuous their

high school years but the entire community as well.

Finally, I believe that teaching our content knowledge and pushing our students

to look beyond their own micro-worlds can only be done with great enthusiasm and hard

work. I know that during my studies to obtain a teaching degree, I will learn many vitally

important teaching skills and outlooks will be learned and integrated into my foundation

as a teacher. However, I know that my passions must shine through that set of skills

toand make me the teacher I want to be. I know I can only achieve and continue these

my goals as a teacher through hard work which and this will be fueled by my passion for

my content area and enthusiasm for my future students’ best interest.