“So Matilda’s strong young mind continued to grow, nurtured by the voices of all those authors who had sent their books out into the world like ships on the sea. These books gave Matilda a hopeful and comforting message: You are not alone.” — Roald Dahl, Matilda
My teaching philosophy is based on a belief that we can all learn from one another. I encourage students to try new approaches to personal expression, and to defend their approach by sharing and collaborating with their peers. Effective communication, both verbally and in writing, is essential in work and in life. While we cannot control what others write or say, we can control how we respond. By fostering an atmosphere of acceptance, the truth will reveal itself.
Critical Thinking and Writing: Building a classroom environment based on trust and respect is essential. I foster a sense of community where all students consider the classroom a safe place to express themselves, to share their own ideas and interpretations of writing and reading assignments. An important part of the process is building their confidence to articulate viewpoints. By developing a mutually respectful approach, students will learn to challenge one another in a robust collaborative spirit, to think and react critically, and to learn the fine art of asserting views without forcing them.
Cultural Relevance: A student’s ability to relate to literature in everyday life is imperative to understanding our changing culture. I use a variety of teaching tools, from videos to music, to bring cultural relevance and enhance student engagement with literary texts. By understanding how other art forms can influence a subject, students can open their minds to interpretation and expression, and above all, relevance of literature in today’s social media culture. Participation in classroom discussion is required, encouraged, and nurtured for rich discussion.
Individual Creativity: I always tell my students that I will learn as much from them as they from me. There is no better experience than helping a student discover their own sense of self through critical reading and writing. I provide the tools as a launchpad for exploring and growing in their own personal journeys. Helping students develop a unique voice is essential in personal and professional growth, and as important as healthy robust collaboration.
Individual Attention and Constructive Criticism: I am available for individual meetings with students throughout the semester. Providing extra support can also help students learn to accept constructive criticism as a learning tool, to develop as writers and critical thinkers.
Safford Communications 