Profile of a 21st Century Teacher

        If you had asked me what I thought what it meant to be a teacher my first year and compared it to my views today, the growth is enormous and exciting.  Within the past century, it is amazing to think about the changes that have occurred within the educational system.  The shift from a traditional classroom, in which students are seated in rows of desks, passively learning from the know-all teacher,  to the constructivist approach where children learn through experience and inquiry is really inspiring.   Throughout my educational journey as a future teacher, I have noticed and taken in several components that I deem are the necessary traits of a 21st Century educator, and each has made me more and more excited about my decision in becoming a teacher.

        First of all, 21st Century educators emphasize the implementation of a backward design.  This process consists of first planning and deciding on the curriculum outcomes students are to achieve, then developing the forms of assessments that will be used on students' learning, and finally creating the specific lesson plans that will lead up to the previously decided upon curriculum outcomes (Drake, Reid, & Kolohon, 2014).  By using a backwards design, it ensures that the lessons being taught already have specific curriculum outcomes in mind.

        A second component that I have noticed that is necessary for myself as a future 21st Century educator is the need to be relevant to the world I live in, so that I can be relevant in my students' lives.   This is extremely noticeable when looking at the huge rise and use of technology in classrooms.  Technology can be used as a way to enhance learning and allow for deeper assessment of learning (Drake, Reid, & Kolohon, 2014).  Students use technology on a daily basis at home, and so by being familiar with technology and implementing ways it can be used in the classroom is relevant in student's learning.  This need to be relevant is also really evident when exploring the 21st Century Literacies.  Being digitally literate, media literate, globally literate, mentally health literate, etc., are all extremely relevant to our world today, for these areas are what we as people are working on improving in.  It is important for 21st Century educators to explore each literacy, yet understand that none of these are fixed and that new literacies will most likely emerge over our years as educators.  That is why continuously looking for ways to improve is another crucial aspect of being a 21st Century educator.

       Related to the 21st Century Literacies, 21st Century educators are also very open to the world with regards to their ways of teaching (Drake, Reid, & Kolohon, 2014).  The use of class websites that are accessible to parents, as well as writing reflective blogs (such as this one you are reading) are becoming more and more prevalent.  These are tools that educators are using to not only connect with parents, but with educators across the world.  This is another underlying theme of 21st Century educators, collaboration.  Being able to collaborate amongst colleagues on different methods that have and have not worked within their classrooms allows for teachers to enhance their professional development and help ensure all students are receiving the best education possible.  

       Lastly, what I deem as one of the most important aspects of being a 21st century educator is the need to be caring.  By caring for our students and developing relationships, it assists in fostering their learning (Drake, Reid, & Kolohon, 2014).  Therefore, what I believe the goal is for myself as a 21st Century educator is to ultimately be a catalyst in my students' growth as a whole person.  I want to make a difference in the lives of my students by opening their minds of being a lifelong learner.

References

Drake, S.M., Reid, J.L., & Kolohon, W. (2014). Interweaving curriculum and classroom assessment: Engaging the 21st     century learner. Ontario, Canada: Oxford.