Abdulkarim Alhossein

Teaching Philosophy

I believe each student is a unique learner, so students differ from each other even if they have the same label. Similarity of label does not mean students have the same needs and strengths. For instance, some students may have the same disability and they may be in the same class, but they have different requirements and abilities.  Therefore, each student should be treated based on his or her own needs and strengths. In my classroom, I would not focus only on the deficiencies of students, but I would give equal attention to my students’ strengths and I would have high expectations of each of them, based on their capabilities.

 One way to meet the needs of my students is to utilize the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). I believe the principles of UDL are a helpful approach for all educators including university faculty members. These principles help to provide appropriate and accessible instruction that takes into account most of my students' needs. They can enable most students, including those with disabilities, to participate in my classroom and to demonstrate what they have learned. For example, if I present content in various ways such as text, pictures, and media formats it may help students to understand my lessons. 

Finally, I believe that under supervision students learn from practice and from each other more than by just listening to explanation from instructors. With this is in mind, I will give my students the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the classroom. They may try to implement evidence-based practices that we learned in our class on real students and share their experience with other students. This will give them the opportunity to see how they can implement in the real world what they are learning in school.  Occasionally, I will let my students work on projects in small groups, under my supervision. This will not only help students to learn from each other, but will help them to improve such skills as collaboration and leadership.

COMPETENCIES IN TEACHING

• Teaching adults and young learners 
• Coaching in-service educators (e.g. special and general educators, assistant principals, and principals).
• Utilizing technologies to teach my students
• Experience in teaching students with mild and moderate disabilities
• Supervising teaching practicum