Welcome! Thanks for visiting my blog! My name is Emma Eiden and I am a licensed English as a Second Language and Early Childhood Educator originally from Wausau, Wisconsin. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with minors in Music Theory, ESL, and Behavioral Sociology. Prior to traveling to Taiwan, I worked at a variety of different schools in a variety of different roles in the Milwaukee Public School district as well as a small Catholic Elementary/Junior High on Milwaukee’s upper east side.
Teaching Philosophy
I believe that every single student that wants to learn can learn. I strive to make sure that all students feel like school is where they can feel like they belong while learning to coexist with others around them that may be different and see how their differences make the world a better place to live. The goal of education should be to encourage seeking answers, as this way that we advance. I seek to facilitate this advancement of knowledge, and the main theme of my teaching philosophy is reasoned thought.
My early education was challenging for me. I am dyslexic which meant I had to work very hard when trying to keep up with the other students in my grade. I always saw education as my guide to a life I wanted, so this motivated me to push even harder towards my own personal goals. Along the way, I was lucky to have teachers who helped show me that even if I wasn’t the best in everything that I could thrive in other fields as long as I worked hard in the subjects that I struggled with. This allowed me to give special time to facilitate my talents in others.
The teachers I have had who stand out in my mind had many things in common that I wish to also bring to the classroom. They presented their subjects in a way that caught my interest, clarified difficult topics which led me through complex areas, and put knowledge into a way so that its relevance was easy for me to understand, and therefore see why it is important for my education. These role models have influenced my approach to teaching. When planning a curriculum or interacting with students, I am always conscious of their different learning styles and rates, their prior knowledge, and what they will need to learn in the future. Feedback from students has been vital to the process of growth I have undergone since I began teaching: for example, the pacing of lectures, and effective ways to help them learn in small group discussions. I believe that it is crucial to make the material new and interesting for the students while bringing an energy into the classroom, because if I am not excited about the information, then it wouldn’t be right to expect that of my students.
As far as myself as a teacher, I believe that there is always more that I can learn. The best students in the world are teachers. I can set an example for my students by showing them how there is so much to learn about the world and the thirst for knowledge is crucial to discovering all the wonders that the world can offer everyone.
Being in a classroom setting has showed me that having a career in education is not only something that I want to do, but something that I need to do. Young children amaze me. Their innate curiosity and natural motivation to explore the world around them makes it easy to see the potential in each and every child. I believe that fostering a welcoming environment where they’re not afraid to make mistakes is the best way to preserve these qualities as they grow older and begin to work towards their own goals. Especially in urban school settings, a strong connection with their teacher is crucial for the academic and personal success of that child. When they know someone is there to believe in them, they are more likely to succeed and take pride in their education.
I am excited for this wonderful opportunity that my education has given me to travel the world and learn to be more culturally responsive as an educator. Join me as I work as a teacher abroad!
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An ESL Teacher Abroad 