Mr. Azzur has been teaching preschoolers for 28 years. His style of teaching has inspired many who have come through his classroom both as students, teachers and family members. What makes Mr. Azzur such an extradentary teacher you might ask? While there are many qualities, one quality that stands out is his ability to empower each child in his classroom.
Mr. Azzur wants the children he teaches to grow up confident, with an amazing sense of self-worth, a whole lot of resilience and respect for others, and the world around them. Mr. Azzur knows that as adults, persistence and tenacity are important traits when facing life’s challenges. Years of experience and research into child development has taught Mr. Azzur that the children are born with a blank slate. He understands how easy it is for children to become what adults tell them they are. A child who is repeatedly told they are stupid and worthless will believe that is what they are. On the other hand, a child who is nurtured to believe in him or herself, encouraged to take risks and is continually reinforced for their efforts with positive affirmations and respect, will most likely develop a strong belief in him or herself and their capabilities. In his classroom, Mr. Azzur incorporates several strategies to empower the young minds he influences. One way he accomplishes this task is through the offering of choices. By giving children choices regarding things that relate to them, Mr. Azzur gives the children a sense of control over their environment. Examples of such choices are simple things like what color marker a child wants to color with first. There are no life altering decisions being made here. It is about giving the children choices that matter to them not necessarily the adults in the room. Not only does Mr. Azzur listen to the children’s opinions but he also notes their moods and listens for what is NOT being said. The children are made to feel that their interests are valuable. Such thoughts and perspectives are incorporated into what is planned in the classroom. Once engaged in these planned activities, the children are allowed the freedom and encouraged to take risks with their play. Children learn to take risks by being provided the support they are seeking when mistakes occur. Making mistakes has become something many people have come to fear. In this classroom, children learn the opposite. Here children learn that mistakes are opportunities for growth and learning. Children move on from Mr. Azzur’s classroom no longer possessing a fear of failure. As a caregiver and guide, Mr. Azzur’s goal is to make the most of the time he has the children in his class. Its understood that the opportunity to help shape the minds these young children is something that must be treated with the utmost importance. Mr. Azzur’s appreciates the gravity of this and works every to provide the children in his class the chance to explore and think critically without hesitation
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