This teaching statement could not start without declaring my complete enthusiasm and passion for teaching. At the moment that I realised that it was possible to choose any profession to my life, I did not hesitate to affirm that I would like to be a teacher. More than seventeen years after giving my first math class, my willingness to teach is still growing. Talent and commitment to improving. Indeed, nothing gives me more pleasure than finding a way to guide students to the understanding of the concepts and principles that govern a theory.
I am pleased to be experienced to teach at many levels, either at secondary schools or universities. For four years in a row, I have been chosen as the best professor of Calculus of School of Science and Technology of University of Rio Grande do Norte. However, the most valuable prize I have won from the municipality of the Brazilian city, Santa Rita. My research gives special motivation to my lectures, making the teaching natural and practical. Mathematical analysis and scientific programming are presented as fundamental tools for research and technology. In this sense, the main aim of my lectures is to make all concepts useful and touchable.To combine traditional and modern teaching methods is the best way to optimise the didactics.
Although most of the mathematical theorems can be explained by using blackboard and chalk, it is unarguable that online technological tools make the learning much more efficient. For example, favourite videos, games and software mostly diffused by social networks are powerful appliances to transmit the knowledge. Evaluation should be continuously proposed. |
I was given the citizenship in honour of my work to lead poor students to reach university, that is almost impossible given the precarious education of that community.
During my classes, my primary goal is provoking discussion, allowing students to reformulate the basic questions and thinking about possible answers for them. My teaching philosophy is based on wetting curiosity, proposing challenges and giving support to turn the achievement real. I understand that learning is a developmental process and I endeavour to stimulate the students to work out outside the classroom because I believe this behaviour is essential to have further insight and set the learning goals. Mathematics plays a central role not only in my teaching history but also in my research. Differential equations, statistics and numerical simulations are my daily partners. Even if written tests are the primary evaluation method, students should be evaluated since the beginning of the course. Seminars, debates and projects allow me to help students to achieve higher levels of learning.
At the end of the course, it is indispensable that all students evaluate my work, giving feedback to improve the quality and efficiency of the future versions. This constitutes another opportunity to accurate their knowledge since I have another chance to clarify the course aims. Finally, I stress that I am committed to grow in my career and improve my skills. To this purpose, I am keen on exchanging ideas with the academic community. |