Publication Date

1985

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

First Advisor

Bonnie Mennell

Abstract

This paper examines the origins of and effects on my teaching of several personal and professional conflicts with the teacher-training process, and with subsequent classroom teaching. I describe their development in relation to my previous education, work experience, and mental "habits," and compare my prior medical training with that of a language teacher. Particular attention is paid to how the different epistemologies have affected my outlook as a teacher.

I use a recent teaching experience with Cambodian refugees in North Carolina to illustrate these conflicts--e.g., the problems that developed by attempting to create an ESL syllabus in the same spiral learning style that suited my medical training but was not, in this instance, suited to a language class- room.

Lastly, I try to evolve a perspective on the profession and on my future teaching, and consider what changes or adjustments in attitude I need to make towards this end. The challenge remains to adapt and use my past education and life experience to develop effective teaching techniques and a genuine teaching style.

Disciplines

Education | Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research | Educational Methods | Teacher Education and Professional Development

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