Teaching Philosophy

In the profession of education, there are many different models of teaching, and one that I find myself personally identifying with is called “Interpersonal Learning.” This idea was developed by Carl Rogers in his book Freedom to Learn (1969) and it promotes warm human relationships between the teacher and the student, and the notion that by conveying genuine affection and a facilitative classroom climate, the best possible environment for learning is established. There are three necessary conditions for the promotion of learning and they include empathy, unconditional positive regard without judgment, and congruence. “The natural make-up of children and teenagers is such that if we remove the inhibitions imposed by outside direction, then self-directed learning will follow and that is the manner by which I hope to manage my classrooms.

I believe in relationships and the idea that teaching is all about having a good relationship between three important players: instructor, student, and real world. Therefore, I will try to develop good and strong relationships because for me, the key to learning is creating the best environment for the pupils that is based on sincerity and honesty.

For a more in-depth explanation of my teaching philosophy, work experience, and lesson plans… please visit my online portfolio at:

https://tinyurl.com/fatmehredaeduportfolio

Background

I am the fourth of five children- I have two brothers and two sisters… Ayman is 32 and an Economics professor at LAU in Lebanon. My sister Iman is 31 and an elementary teacher in Lebanon. My sister Hanan is 26 and used to be a teacher here at Fordson High School until she had to stop because she had a baby. My younger brother Ali is 19 and is in his second year in Ann Arbor on a full ride scholarship and pursuing medicine. The first four of us were born in Freetown Sierra Leone in West Africa- my parents moved there after they got married and started a business which is still going after almost three decades. In May of 1997 we woke up to the sound of gunfire and we were told that rebels came over from Nigeria and they wanted to overthrow our president- and after a few days, things didn’t settle so my dad was forced to get us out. Because my little brother was born here, we were able to get passage out with the U.S. Marines…. They picked us by  helicopter from the hotel, took us to a navy ship off the coast on the Atlantic ocean, then to Guinea, Belgium, New York, and finally to Dearborn where we already had family.

Education

I started fourth grade nervous- and after two weeks, they moved me up to fifth… then went to Woodworth, Fordson where I graduated in 2005, University of Dearborn on a full ride for a double bachelors in Political Science and Sociology, Wayne State for my masters in Conflict Resolution, and then back to UMD for my teaching certificate.

Interests

In my spare time, I try to spend as much time with my family as I can-I have six nieces and nephews and they need so much time and attention. When I need some “me time”, my favorite thing to do is read, crochet, or watch movies. My book collection is almost 500 books and now I’m starting on collecting movies.

Music/Movies/TV Shows

I’m not really into music- I tend to only listen to the songs that get a lot of attention and then only to see what the hype is about. If I had to pick a type of music, I’d say I’m a country music kind of girl. As for movies- I’ll watch almost anything… favorite being romantic comedies. On TV, its almost always a guarantee it’s on Food network or when one of my favorite shows are on: Grey’s Anatomy, The Nanny, Private Practice, Law and Order and Bones.

Favorites