Western New Mexico University School of Education
Student Responses to Questions:Why Teach? What is our Vision?
Student:
Graciella Chavez
1-20-04
Foundations of Education
The Vision to Ignite and Nurture
The vision to "ignite and nurture a spirit of learning for both educator and student," is a very important key element that should be remembered when we teach. Educators have to be committed to what they are doing and how they are doing it. Teachers also have to have an open mind and be flexible when they teach or the spirit cannot flourish. When you teach, you will probably learn more and more every year, so you have to be open to new ideas and learn from mistakes.
I want to do my best to "ignite and nurture" not only while my students do their school work but also guide them as they find out who they are. To me, "ignite and nurture," means to make things fun and exciting for yourself and the students while you learn at the same time. Teachers also have to build from what students already know and guide their knowledge in the right direction. As a teacher you have to make yourself approachable so the students will feel they can come to you for support. You have to make them feel important and that they all belong. You have to make it known that you care about them and what is going on in each of their lives.
As a teacher there will be times where you may find yourself frustrated; but I believe that once you lose that frustration and you stop caring you should stop teaching.
The "spirit of learning" is when both the student and the teacher pass knowledge back and forth to one another and there is continual knowledge being passed on and gained without it being known to either of you. The "spirit of learning" can be negative and positive which will, in return, help us grow and become better. You must remember your mistakes and not dwell on them but learn from them and pass your knowledge on. As an educator it is important to keep a very open mind and respect others beliefs as long as it doesn't cause conflict.
"Ignite and nurture a spirit of learning for both educator and student." Once you create a spark of interest for a student it is easy to nourish it, make it grow, and learn from it. You have to find out what your students are interested in and incorporate that in what you're teaching. Teachers have to continue building on what their students already know and continue to lead them in the right direction. Teaching is a never ending learning process and we have to be able to change as the times change and keep an open mind as we guide students.
