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Teaching Philosophy/Pedagogy Reading and writing are a means to explore the vastness of the world and its history. The college classroom is conducive to students investigating this world. As a teacher, I welcome the responsibility of instructing students and providing them with the confidence and skills to both analyze and communicate individual perspectives through reading and responding to literature as well as interpreting their world through writing. Collegiate education is a time of revelation and discovery, and the instruction of reading and writing is an essential aspect of it. Through the study of literature, students are exposed to different interpretations of the world. Writing enables them to shape their own conclusions. I bring experience in teaching composition, both American and British literature, and creative writing to help students in this process. The most dramatic aspect of this process is in early composition classes. I prospered under the strong influence of intellectual encouragement and personal support I received from my freshman teacher. We formed a relationship and communicated an understanding of human philosophy. One of the most useful techniques in developing such a relationship is journal writing. As a student, I was required to write every day. My professor read all of my entries and encouraged me with periodic comments. This communication built a relationship of respect and trust between us. I wish to achieve the same accomplishments and education with my students and have incorporated this method of intellectual exchange into my own pedagogy, encouraging them to express and explore their thoughts and emotions in an unrestricted environment. I have found that the support and experience they receive in their journals provides a foundation for their analysis of the literature assigned and the writing required in a collegiate English class. In addition, students feel that my availability outside of class builds trust and comfort in the student-teacher relationship, especially important to freshman. As one of my students said in her teacher evaluation, “Overall, I’ve learned much more than I suspected. I am very satisfied with the teacher because he’ll help us any way possible.” This is achieved both in and out of the classroom. Utilizing technology such Blackboard, Moodle, and D2L, lines of communication with students are always open. Important to the advancement of our comprehension of the world in which we live is analysis of the literature that defines that world in through which students can learn critical thinking. In the exploration of meaning in literature, the encouragement of individual interpretation is essential to students. Reading literature from different historical and cultural contexts allows students to explore a variety of philosophical, religious, political, economic, artistic, environmental, and gender roles, broadening their knowledge and experience. They learn differences through literature, and new ways of interacting with one another. Taking an interdisciplinary approach via folklore, film, and art have greatly assisted me in providing these experiences. This method encourages students to explore a deeper understanding of the corresponding texts. As my students are surprised to discover, there are numerous versions of the Cinderella story for example, and each one has a different meaning. Students often find their voice in creative writing, allowing the formation of their own interpretation of who and where they are. The college classroom is a fertile ground for this. Creative writing demands that students take the responsibility of forming an understanding of the world and communicating it artistically. We have a wonderful opportunity and responsibility to guide the intellectual and philosophical development of future generations by teaching students how to think critically about, respond to, and articulate their thoughts and feelings on the words and images that have shaped our culture. I welcome this responsibility wholeheartedly.
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