UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE MATO GROSSO CAMPUS UNIVERSITÁRIO DE RONDONÓPOLIS INSTITUTO DE CIENCIAS HUMANAS E SOCIAIS CURSO DE LICENCIATURA EM LETRAS HABILITAÇÃO EM LÍNGUAS E LETERATURAS DE LÍNGUA INGLESA

UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE MATO GROSSO
CAMPUS UNIVERSITÁRIO DE RONDONÓPOLIS
INSTITUTO DE CIENCIAS HUMANAS E SOCIAIS
CURSO DE LICENCIATURA EM LETRAS
HABILITAÇÃO EM LÍNGUAS E LETERATURAS DE LÍNGUA INGLESA

Priscila Aline Rodrigues Silva

Observation Internship

Marki Lyons
On Becoming a Reflective Teacher
Teaching practice is an art which must be carefully conducted. Being a
teacher, is not about master a subject and talk about it to a group of
students. Being a teacher is about bringing the students to the knowledge
universe, making them understand the world where they are inserting in.
When you decide becoming a teacher, there are innumerous choices that you
must consider about what kind of teacher you should be. One of the most
important choices you will make is about to be or not to be a reflective
teacher. It may seem an obvious question, but don't be naive: it is not
that simple. Everybody believes acting as a reflective teacher, but just a
small group really acts like one. After all, what is a reflective teacher?
Why is so important being one?
There are several types of teachers and methods: the open mind or the
traditional style; the children-centered or the subject-centered; the
humanistic or custodial ones etc. These characteristics are based on
different views over the learning process. Regardless of which style do you
prefer or intend to follow, it is truly important keep open mind and think
about what is the most adequate method to your student's reality in the
first place. Student's needs must always come before teacher's preference,
because they are the focus of the learning process.
Being a reflective teacher involves rationalizing our behavior in the
classroom. We must think about which step we make, knowing how and why we
made that way. It is fundamental know the purpose of which activity we
develop with our pupils. If the teacher must transform his students into
critical minds, he must act as one. So, the teacher has to consider the
educational, social and political contexts which their teaching is
embedded, acting according to the adequate principles to make this context
better and prepare his students to act critically in the real world.
According to Dewey, there are three essential attitudes which describe
the reflective teacher behavior: openmindedness, responsibility and
wholeheartedness. Being openmindedness means to be able to look under
different perspectives, to change your mind and view about some subject. We
must recognize our mistakes and failures and try to repair them. The
reflective teacher also should be responsible because he has to know how
act and why act in a specific way. He has to know what is important teach
to his students and define his purposes. Being wholeheartedness it is about
being a supportive teacher, who is not openminded and responsible just when
is convenient. This means incorporate this teaching philosophy to our life
and behavior full time. It is about being fair.
Not all teachers act in a reflective way. But those who do it are
successful, not only because they know how or what to teach, but also
because reflective teachers understand the needs of the people around, and
the needs of their own world. Being a teacher is not an easy task. Teach it
is much more than a carrier, it is a lifestyle. So, we must be prepared for
all challenges this choice involves us – that is the reason we have to
think about every single detail of our profession acting.


This is being a reflective teacher. This professional always acts
according to his student's needs. It is about critical attitude.
A reflective teacher is a professional who think about each detail of
the teaching process.
Teaching is not only a profession, it is a lifestyle. Once a teacher,
always a teacher.