Professional Readings
"These are the 3 books I have read that greatly influenced me as an aspiring
English Language Educator."
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ABOUT THE BOOK
"The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher" by Harry K. Wong and Rosemary T. Wong—Often considered essential reading for educators, this book offers practical advice for making the most of the first days of school and setting a tone for a productive academic year. It covers classroom management, lesson planning, and creating a positive classroom environment.
MY REFLECTION
This book has profoundly shifted my perspective on the importance of the first days of the school year. The Wongs emphasize establishing routines and setting expectations early, crucial for effective classroom management. Implementing their strategies, I've noticed a more structured and calm environment in my classes, allowing for more efficient learning. This book has taught me that being proactive rather than reactive in classroom management sets the tone for the academic year, leading to better student engagement and achievement.
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ABOUT THE BOOK
"Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning" by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel - This book explores effective learning strategies backed by scientific research. It benefits teachers looking to enhance their students' retention and understanding of new material through evidence-based study techniques.
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MY REFLECTION
"Make It Stick" dismantles traditional notions of learning and studying, arguing for more active engagement with material versus passive rereading or superficial memorization. The authors advocate for retrieval practice, spaced repetition, and interleaving—techniques I have begun incorporating into my teaching. These strategies have improved how I structured lessons and empowered my students to take charge of their learning effectively. Reflecting on this has encouraged me to adapt and apply scientific principles to enhance educational outcomes continually.
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ABOUT THE BOOK
"Pedagogy of the Oppressed" by Paulo Freire is a seminal work in critical pedagogy that explores the relationship between teaching and social justice. Freire discusses education as a practice of freedom instead of domination, encouraging educators to empower students to question and transform the world around them.
MY REFLECTION
Paulo Freire's work has been a cornerstone in understanding education dynamics within societal structures. His critique of traditional pedagogy as a "banking model" where students are passive recipients has challenged me to create more dialogic and problem-posing educational experiences. Freire's ideas push for education that empowers students to question and transform their reality, which aligns with my goal of fostering my students' academic but also social and critical capacities. This reflection on Freire’s philosophies reinforces my commitment to teaching as an act of liberation, promoting equity and understanding in the classroom.
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