WHAT ARE MY TEACHING GOALS?
I believe that education has two primary end-goals: (1)Topic-Centered: goals related specifically to the content, knowledge, and skills related to the topic of the class. (2) Person-Centered: goals related to the personal and social growth of the student, regardless of the class.
As someone who teaches STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), I have a number of goals for students who enter my classroom:
Topic-Centered:
She will come away with an appreciation of the נפלאות הבורא. As a דתי woman, I am privileged to have the unique opportunity - and responsibility - to teach science in a בית יעקב environment in a way that is advanced both in knowledge and השקפה. Learning these topics does not have to be separated from our growth in יהדות; the more we understand the depth, complexity, and pure elegance of numbers and of the world around us, the more we can appreciate ’אחדות ה and שהוא בורא ומנהיג.
She will come away with a core understanding of these subjects in preparation for future study. While some students may be in my honors track, and other will be in a remedial version, every student should have achieved the essential understandings so that she will be prepared to take higher level courses in college. This applies to those students who wish to pursue advanced study in STEM and wishes to test out of intro-level courses, and even for a student looking to pass a 1-semester college biology course.
She will come away with a generalized knowledge base in the topic so that she can be a well-rounded, educated adult. Even for students not pursuing a STEM career, having a basic understanding of many of the terms, topics, and ideas we learn will serve them as they grow into mature young adults.
She will have a good ta’am (taste) of the topic. Even if the subject doesn’t speak to her or she doesn’t excel in that area, she will leave the class feeling positive and confident about the subject.
Person-Centered:
She will grow in her own confidence and self-efficacy. Through working hard, discovering her challenges and strengths, and tasting the results of her efforts, she will appreciate the idea that “I can accomplish if I try.” She will learn to be more bold and more likely to take a risk - whether it’s entering an international math competition when she’s never entered any contest in her life, or just studying for a test after she had initially convinced herself it wasn’t worth studying for because she didn’t get it anyway. I like to give my students the gift of a small bracelet when they graduate high school, engraved with the words, “Be Brave.” They understand.
She will be a better team player. She will learn to play to her own strengths, and also be a patient, considerate, and helpful classmate.