You cannot teach a man anything; You can only help him to find it

within himself -- Galileo

My objectives as a teacher in the field of dental hygiene are:

To provide a supportive, respectful environment that will enable learners to

gain the knowledge and skills that will prepare them for a career in dental
hygiene.

To mentor student clinicians in the practice of dental hygiene by

demonstrating effective communication, skills acquisition and application,
critical reflection and analysis, and ethical, practical application of theory and
mastery of skill in a patient centered clinical environment.

To employ methods of teaching that respect diversity of life and learning and
instill a sense of cultural and social responsibility while promoting the
advancement of the profession of dental hygiene.

To create a mutually beneficial community of learning that is based on trust,

respect, appreciation for diversity and social consciousness, and centered on
attainment of student learning outcomes.

To promote a love of learning by active pursuit of life-long learning and

demonstration of professional obligation through participation in continuing
education.

I will use my experience to facilitate transfer of knowledge necessary for the

practice of dental hygiene through multiple techniques. Didactic knowledge
will be facilitated through classroom activities that demonstrate experiential
and cognitive approaches that respect the diverse learning styles of
students. These may include strategies such as lecture, group or
collaborative activities, individual assignments, case studies, and real-life
application of core knowledge through active learning approaches.

In clinical courses, I will facilitate learning through psychomotor approaches

that make use of role-play, scaffolding, observation, formative feedback, live
skill demonstration, communication techniques that employ pre & de-
briefing, and clinical reflective practices.

I will assess and evaluate my effectiveness in achieving my objectives by the

success of students in completing the program, demonstrating quality of
care in clinical treatment, and demonstrating transfer or mastery of skills
through obtaining licensure by passing regional clinical and written boards.

Teaching is important to me because I feel that I have a duty to provide

educational experiences that will promote social consciousness, and provide
equal and just opportunities for educational and professional advancement
for all. I have a love of service that I feel should be passed on to the next
generation of dental hygienists. I feel that the knowledge and experience I
have is useful and important to learners as well as the advancement of the
profession.

My aspiration as a teacher is to be an effective inspiration for learners by

constantly striving for improvement, and making sure that student learning
outcomes have been achieved. I strive to instill my love of life and learning
to all students I teach, with an emphasis on the importance of life experience
in the obtainment of knowledge and acquisition of life-skills.

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.

--William Butler Yeats