TL;DR:

• Different teaching styles work for both teachers and students.
• Spiraling concepts helps students build knowledge.
• Take time for students to build relationships.
• Check in with parents for additional feedback.

Embracing Differences in Teaching Styles

I recently got the opportunity to reflect as a mentor in a guest panel at the Mentoree Podcast through Voice Ed Canada. Authentic questions were brought forward from the faculties of education after the students had completed their first placement. It made me think about my first days teaching and the excitement that I still feel as I teach every day!

The opportunity to be a “mindful” educator, to reflect on why I do the things I do as a teacher, is invaluable.  I can tell you as an associate teacher the time that I spend after lessons being asked the questions and debriefing has been invaluable in my profession. Those moments where I had the chance to reflect on my practise are PRICELESS. These moments are important to consider so that we as educators know the “why” behind the “what” we do. A quote that I love and has resonated with me is, “If you cannot see where you are going, ask someone who has been there before” – J. L. Norris. I encourage the new teachers in the profession to seek guidance and make it their own! Create your own way of doing things. That is how we embrace differences in teaching styles which is invaluable.

Create your own way of doing things. That is how we embrace differences in teaching styles which is invaluable. Click To Tweet

Here are 3 key concepts that have worked for me in my teaching that you may benefit from!

Spiraling Lesson Concepts – Check!

I do not quite know when I started to naturally build this into my teaching, but it really does work. Revisit concepts multiple times over the year to build upon the previous knowledge that was taught. Getting to know the curriculum is important so you can give yourself an opportunity to divert, pivot back and forth, and naturally and holistically build learning capacity.

Giving choice to students to use their OWN learning styles – Check!

Teaching online has been such a good learning curve for me as an educator.

Brightspace allows opportunities to reflect on styles for both teaching and learning. Trust me, it takes adjustments since you will really see your learning style as a teacher and who you connect with better. Also, you notice whose learning style does not match and you have to adjust as you consider assessments and feedback.

• Visual Learning – the ability to share knowledge via pictures
• Auditory Learning – the ability to share knowledge via talking
• Kinaesthetic Learning – media is used to share knowledge

Give opportunities to speak valuing thoughts – Check!

I loved learning alongside my students and getting parent feedback on how things are going to really build relationships. I love teaching on Microsoft Teams; my students are excited to learn. They love talking and connecting and building relationships by getting to know each other while we work online.

Individualized and personalized feedback has been built into the program. Teaching online has never been more effective. This makes the concept of choices really matter!

Make it about the students and give them their voice to be successful!

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Here are the top 5 strategies we use in my online classroom!

1. Our day starts with a collaborative task (This or That. Show and Tell. Going on a scavenger hunt related to curriculum. Talking about a media clip that is used as a teaching tool). Students can give opinions, share ideas, and discuss concepts all while getting feedback!
2. We “whoosh” which means we send messages to show our learning and do a check-in using “Microsoft Teams” messages.
3. Gifs and emojis help connect and share positive messages while we are learning!
4. We love using the share options so that our PowerPoint presentations (for visual guidance) can be shared online while on Teams.
5. We connect Brightspace and Teams so that we can go back and forth for asynchronous learning moments.

Student/teacher/parent collaborative relationships that are built over the year are priceless! They help in maintaining the classroom atmosphere, giving choice back to students, and maintaining successful learning environments.

Reflection: What is your teaching style and philosophy in education? As an educator, how are you going to change the mindset and teach with your beliefs and values to make a difference and make sure students are successful?

Yours in Education,

Nilmini

References

The Mentoree Podcast: “Questions Teacher from Candidates!” by Noa Daniel and Stephen Hurley.  December 2021.

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About Nilmini Ratwatte-Henstridge

Nilmini lives in Ontario, Canada. She was born in Sri Lanka and immigrated to Canada. Educator at heart, she is passionate about equity, inclusion, social justice, and human rights in education.

She believes in understanding people as she travels to explore cultures in our world during her spare time, loves cooking at home and trying out new flavours, and continues to follow the latest fashion news!

Nilmini loves staying connected with global educators via social media: author, blogger, podcaster, and most importantly, just exploring life.