Professional Knowledge vs. Subject Knowledge

Tough topic....

I think that is definitely a combination of the the two that makes a good teacher. 

In my mind, there is a little bit more weight on professional knowledge. Professional knowledge enables teachers to teach better, know how to deal with parents in a correct manner and teaches teachers appropriate behavior for certain circumstances. Professional knowledge is an on-going process.

Subject knowledge is more crucial in higher level classes, like high school. If you are teaching elementary school, you should have the ability to learn pretty much any of their subjects without too much trouble. High school classes, especially when you get in the sciences and math, is a bit trickier. Subject knowledge is more crucial here I think. If your students know that you don't know the material, they will question why they have to know it.

It takes both professional knowledge and subject knowledge to make a great teacher.

Fish Philosophy

I think the fish philosophy is a good idea to live your life by. The four concepts of the fish philosophy are:
1. Be there.
2. Make their day.
3. Play!
4. Choose your attitude.


In my opinion, the last concept is the most important. If you choose your attitude, the other three ideas will follow with it. If you choose to be happy and upbeat for the day, you will most likely be a more inviting person to be around. Without even trying, you might make someone's day by just smiling at them. Random acts of kindness fit in well with the fish philosophy. They show that you are there for that person and would hopefully make their day. It is such a cool philosophy that I think should be implemented in more work places and schools. People would be much happier then!

Why Teach?

Why do I want to teach? Good question... There are a couple different reasons actually.


I really like working with kids. They are some of the most incredible people ever! They say the funniest things, are smarter than most people realize and they are just fun to spend with time with. Kids see the world differently than adults and it is refreshing to see things through their eyes once in awhile.


I am tutoring students right now. I have for about 4 years - all different ages. I have tutored kindergarten kids, all the way to university students. My favorite thing in the world is seeing them understand something that they have been struggling with. It is such an amazing feeling to help someone understand a topic/concept and see the light bulb come on over their head! I know that I probably won't be able to help all my students that way, but the possibly of helping them and touching their lives really entices me.


And of course, the holidays. They are not the main reason I chose teaching, but they are a nice benefit!

Favorite Teacher

When thinking about favorite teachers, there are two that come to mind. My grade three teacher, Mrs. Steppan and my high school AP calculus teacher, Mrs. McCrae. Both went way above and beyond what their job description and made my days with them awesome! 

I remember getting the chicken pox in grade three and Mrs. Steppan would send home homework with my sister everyday for me. She always had a Calvin & Hobbes or Dennis the Menace cartoon attached to it that was about chicken pox with a little note from her. It made my day! I still have those cartoons and notes.

Mrs. McCrae was very fun. She had these little rhymes and songs she would sing to us to help us remember the rules for our math. She made learning fun. She also had little "study parties" (as she called them) on Sunday nights. We would all go to her house and work on homework and she would make cookies and juice for us.

I think these two ladies were my favorite teachers because they took the time to get to know me personally and helped me as much as they could because they wanted me to excel. I still keep in contact with them today, and am hoping to do one of my student-teaching placements with them. :)