Social work is a values-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and the empowerment of all individuals. Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility, and respect for diversities are central to social work. As a social work educator, I believe that education is the key to help alleviate the social problems in our society. Due to this belief, I have always been very passionate about education. Education in every form, from scholarly education to preventive education, is what will help bring about change.
As a social work educator, I am given the opportunity to create an environment that can help students learn the knowledge, values, and skills required to make those necessary changes to improve our society.
My teaching philosophy has been influenced, and will continue to be influenced, by other educators and students who are open and willing to discuss their ideas about education with me.
However, my teaching philosophy, at this time, is informed by critical theory, social change, and trauma-informed care.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
Social Changes
A good instructor models lifelong learning, collaboration, commitment, and high standards to inspire social change. I encourage students to advocate for improvements, work effectively in teams, and engage passionately with social work and social justice. By maintaining a positive and organized learning environment, I challenge students to reach their full potential and become dedicated advocates for equity and change.
Critical Lens and Trauma-Informed Care
I believe it is part of my role as an educator to support students as we have critical conversations regarding challenging, but important topics, such as diversity, societal and historical roots of oppression, and social and racial injustice. To offer space for students to learn how to critically assess the topics we are discussing, I work to foster a trauma-informed learning environment for my students. I collaborate with students to create a safe classroom environment where all opinions are heard, validated, and respected. We work together to create classroom agreements that provide space to engage with difficult topics. I also strive to help students feel invested in the class by encouraging participation in classroom discussion, activities, and assignments. To offer different ways for students to engage with course content, I utilize active learning activities in the classroom to help students develop and apply critical thinking skills to the classroom content. These active learning activities also provide an opportunity for students to have critical conversations that may challenge different viewpoints. I welcome these critical conversations as I believe these are the conversations that are necessary for students to be prepared to recognize and dismantle the many societal challenges we currently face such as systemic racism and gender discrimination.