I think education is like growing tulips, it takes time, patience, and proper care. Each student has his or her own pace and potential, and by giving them a safe and respected learning environment, they can slowly grow and find their way. As a teacher, I want to be a supporter, to grow with my students, to not be in a hurry, and to believe that they will eventually blossom.
My Philosophy of Education
I believe that the purpose of education is not only to impart knowledge, but also to develop critical thinking, responsibility and empathy in students so that they can become active and ethically aware members of society. Education should support students to ask questions, reflect and act with integrity.
I view learning as an active, social process that can only really happen when students feel safe, seen, and respected. Therefore, teaching is not just about delivering content; it is about building relationships and creating the enabling conditions for students to take the initiative to learn and take responsibility for their own growth. I see teachers as both guides and co-learners who need to continually adapt their teaching practices to meet the needs of diverse students.
“Equity is a core value of my teaching philosophy. But fairness is not the same as accommodation. This was particularly evident during my practicum. I was teaching a physics unit that required all students to complete all quizzes before the final test so that they could receive timely feedback and review effectively. However one student – the only one in the class who had not yet completed the last quiz – insisted on doing it after the exam. If I had obliged him, I would have had to delay giving out class-wide feedback and would have jeopardized the fairness of the entire learning process. What’s more, I knew he had a history of cheating, and if he got the paper without completing the quiz, he might secretly take pictures to obtain others’ answers. In the face of his emotional pleas, I stuck to my principles and asked him to complete the quiz first. It was a difficult moment, but it reinforced my belief that teachers must adhere to consistent standards, not to punish individuals, but out of respect for the entire learning community.