REFLECTION ESSAY

Reflection Essay



Reflection Essay

In this paper I will discuss why I want to become a mentor, some of my personal characteristics that will make me an effective mentor, how I will stay current in the field of education, and how I will maintain my passion about teaching. Finally, I will include my teaching philosophy. I have used the reflection model by Gibbs (1988).

I work as a Staff Nurse in an Orthopeadic Theatre Suite in medium size hospital, I have been an Associate mentor for 10 years. I enjoy being an associate mentor and feel to become a full mentor is the way forward in contributing to the training of tomorrows nurses.

I feel that some of my personal characteristics that will make me an effective mentor are to teach by different learning styles, not just one and only one; to have a diverse learning environment, have good communication skills, have confidence in myself and belief in what I am teaching or passing on, be willing to admit to making mistakes (that I am only human as are my students), and to have knowledge of the materials in which I am teaching and ample planning and preparation time. The most important characteristic I feel I have is that I tend to bring out the best in people. I emphasize good qualities in others and am not afraid to point these qualities out (great rapport).

Staying current in the field of education is important. I plan to do this by taking continuing education classes, go to lectures on education and different subjects, and by mentoring, advocacy for the profession and school quality, and to leadership. Keeping up with technology's advances is another great tool to keeping current in the field.

My own teaching philosophy is that education is important to me for a number of reasons. I believe education is fundamental in forming a person's beliefs, attitudes, esteem, and aspirations. It is a foundation upon which we determine our future and goals. Although I know that I will probably never gain prestige, wealth, or status by working as an educator, I firmly believe that there is simply no other profession for me. There is nothing I could do with my life more fulfilling or meaningful than to assist a child acquire knowledge about the world in which we live.

My philosophy of education begins with instilling the continuing desire to learn within each student. I believe that each ...