TEACHING STATEMENT

My first encounter with education began four years ago when I was working as a camp counselor and translator at STEM summer camp. In the process of interacting with children, I saw that each child is unique and I want to impact their lives with my life.

After graduating with my undergraduate degree, I chose to work as a PYP homeroom teacher in an IB school. The first year was quite challenging for me, as I needed to learn to design a 5th grade curriculum and deal with all kinds of relationships (with students, parents, other teachers, etc.) The biggest problem at the time was that I didn't know how to deal with children's behavioral problems. So I signed up for the corresponding behavioral support and educational psychology courses, learning and applying the knowledge to get along with the children. In the process, I have experienced many frustrating moments, especially when the situation of individual students does not improve for a long time for various reasons. After hesitating and faltering, I learned to adjust my expectations and give students the greatest support within my ability. Gradually, I was able to quickly identify possible problems, find a suitable method for him, and communicate with parents to formulate corresponding behavior adjustment plans. It is these experiences that have strengthened my belief in continuing to walk on the path of being a teacher.

After I became more comfortable with relationships, I began to focus more on teaching. I've noticed that ensuring that students are as involved as possible in the learning process so that learning happens in the classroom, is far more important than "completing the teaching task" as previously understood. I started trying to find answers by reading professional books and participating in training programs: “Visible Learning and the Science of How We Learn” gave me a scientific perspective to rethink about teaching; projects at the Deep Learning Conference (DLC) gave me a way to implement PBL methods and SEL programs in my classroom; Cornell’s online program has helped me reexamine my personal identity and the impact it can have on teaching.

In addition to the personalized learning above, I hope that I can have a deeper understanding of teaching methods, combine them with modern technology and apply it to my classroom. Teach-Now program helps me see the possibilities of the above ideas: differentiated teaching can help me support non-native Chinese students to ensure that they can experience the real learning process every day, and build more confidence in the process; innovations in teaching methods can make classrooms more dynamic, cultivate students’ interest in learning, and make them enjoy the learning process instead of seeing it as a burden; the integration of modern technology will not only expand children learning experience, but also provide a variety of ways for them to express themselves. These changes are what I look forward to seeing in my classroom.

As part of this program, I'm currently communicating, collaborating, growing together with educators from all over the world, and applying what I've learned to the classroom, to ensure that every student learns, grows, and develops.