Summer Allen, PhD

Teaching styles that promote collaboration, enthusiasm, and student engagement enhance the learning process. I believe students retain information best through active participation, social interaction, and applied activities. My philosophy of learning and teaching aligns with Vygotsky’s (2012) social constructivism theory. This theory of learning may help support longer-term knowledge acquisition, unlike rote memory. An effective learning process encapsulates a true conceptualization and integration of knowledge. I believe students learn from applying principles in an interactive and experiential way. I believe students also benefit from activities outside of the classroom.

My passion for teaching stems from my desire to support and encourage growth in future counselors. My primary goal as an educator is to aid students in the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and abilities. My approach in the classroom is to facilitate meaningful dialogue, encourage students to expand their thinking, and create a collaborative environment in the classroom. Students should feel supported, respected, and safe to share their ideas in classroom settings. As an educator, I work to create a variety of innovative and engaging approaches in the classroom. I incorporate experiential learning practices throughout the teaching process. These may include community immersion activities, group projects, applied counseling exposure, and reflection papers. I also serve as a mentor to students through my efforts to engage them and meet their needs outside of the classroom. Some of the most influential people in my life have been professors who took the time to mentor and support me. I owe much of my success to educators who went above and beyond in their efforts to help me succeed. For these reasons, I incorporate the opportunity for a mentoring relationship into my role as an educator.

As a Counselor Educator, I strive to aid in the development of future counselors. My greatest responsibility in this field is to provide counselors-in-training with quality education. The students in counselor education classrooms are the future of the counseling profession. I am privileged and honored to serve these students on their journey to becoming counselors. I hope to not only educate students, but also to promote growth-fostering relationships with them. I provide practical and real-world experiences for students to take with them into their practice as future counselors. I teach in a way that inspires, encourages, and supports students in wherever their counseling path may take them. I would like my students to know that the possibilities are endless in their quest to become a facilitator of change. I create a positive learning environment with respect and authenticity for the cultural and individual needs of each student. I educate counseling students on the fact that roles and responsibilities of a counselor reach far beyond counseling sessions. Lastly, I work to ensure students leave my classroom with a clear understanding of the importance of social justice, advocacy, and research among counselors as practitioners.

References

Vygotsky, L. (2012). Thought and language. E. Hanfmann, G. Vakar, & A. Kozulin (Ed.).

Cambridge, MA: Massachusetts Institute of Technology.