Pedagogy
The purpose of education is to improve and enrich the life of the student. Whether it is directly related via learning certain skills useful in daily life or in a career, or indirectly by building community amongst students, education can empower an individual to make positive changes in their life
I’ve had a handful of good teachers and professors throughout my life, and they all had a commonality – passion for their subject. Having someone who was excited to be in the class helped me focus on what was being taught, and oftentimes that passion translated to a teacher that was more willing to help me and others learn. The content wasn’t easy, and the assessments were rigorous, but it was enjoyable because doing well was achievable; expectations and methods for success were clearly outlined throughout the course. They were compassionate and empathetic, and made a safe space for me to feel comfortable and more receptive to learning. These are all qualities I try to emulate in my teaching, because those professors were my inspiration to pursue this profession.
Why do you want to teach?
I chose this profession because I find it extremely rewarding. For me, the desire to help students understand content while equipping them with skills to tackle daily life beyond school is fundamentally part of who I am. I want to share my love for science and ethics; teachers are essentially at the forefront of new ideas and innovation, and the opportunity to support and nurture new thinkers is amazing and exhilarating.
What are your goals?
When it comes to goals and outcomes, I want my students to be more scientifically literate, and have critical thinking skills that are applicable beyond school. I obviously want them to do well based on the curriculum tests and measures, but middle and high school isn’t the be-all and end-all in life. I want my students to look back and realise that they found something out about themselves or the world that helps them cope and succeed, or at least able make informed decisions for themselves.
How would you describe your style of teaching?
I prefer a lecture-style teaching method, with a collaborative learning environment afterwards (eg. running labs, discussions, hands-on projects). As a student, I found that most professors are likely to let you figure it out on your own – and that was anxiety inducing. Regardless of my experience or knowledge, it always felt like someone was throwing me into the deep end of a pool without checking if I knew how to swim. I usually worked with my peers to decipher what the professor wanted us to do, but so many others felt the same way as me. I never want students to feel that way. It didn’t make me feel any more independent, and the stress involved was more harmful than encouraging.
Describe your assignment and assessment formats?
I’m not a huge proponent of summative assignments and tests, because it more measures a student’s ability to memorize and emphasizes the importance of a grade, rather than their understanding.
Smaller summative assessments throughout a unit that would contribute towards a grade is more useful, and allows students to learn from mistakes and improve. Lower stakes and more frequent assessments also encourage students to actually do the work, rather than rely on AI tools to get themselves a “good grade”.
I also don’t prefer the traditional test-based assessment, and let students have a choice between tests or other methods like presentations, essays, etc. that would likewise demonstrate their mastery of a topic. To me, this allows for higher-quality work and the flexibility can keep students engaged and encouraged.
Rh. Zoe Kwan 