A teacher's responsibility to a school community in today's world is monumental. Our society is in the midst of a debate with what is wrong with public education. Students are forced to mature faster than ever before in order to cope with the many problems and issues that are part of our society. With educational reform and recent curriculum standards, the school community must be ready to design and implement a curriculum that addresses the physical, emotional, social, and academic well being of each student. This will ensure productive citizens and lifelong learners of tomorrow. Every young adult is essential to the future growth of his or her community.
A teacher is responsible for providing their students assistance, appropriate curriculum, and a collaborative environment. Education involves a partnership between the teacher and each student. Both need to make a commitment to the learning process. One should design a curriculum that is innovative and progressive. In regards to mathematics, this curriculum must take into account the NCTM Standards and the Massachusetts Frameworks. A teacher also has the responsibility to provide a learning environment that treats all students fairly. A teacher needs to meet the needs of each student at the appropriate level, in order for them to achieve personal success as well as a mastery of the subject matter at hand.
If an individual walked into my classroom, I would expect them to see students engaged in inquiry based group projects. As the teacher, I would guide their exploration of various solutions to the tasks at hand. Encouraging students to verbalize and confer with each other about their work, they would realize the value of mathematics in society through applied methods. The classroom would be a place for these groups to work together, allowing students access to all resources at hand.
As a teacher, I believe in the student-centered approach to education. This approach offers a realistic opportunity for each student to become a productive and active member of both the school and local community.