My Philosophy of Education
- I believe the purpose of education is to prepare students for future careers and responsibilities and to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will help them to become leaders and thoughtful, capable citizens. My role as a teacher is to create an environment where students can share in the learning process and to assist students with any challenges they may face. Students learn best when they are given the freedom to take control of their own learning and when content is engaging and relevant to their every day lives. An integrated curriculum that allows students to explore and question real world issues and personal beliefs is integral to developing empathy and social awareness which are key in becoming active and thoughtful citizens. It is the duty of a teacher to impress upon students the importance of cooperation and collaboration in accomplishing their goals, taking responsibility for their actions and being respectful of the needs and feelings of others.
- As a teacher, it is my duty to provide structure and boundaries for students to follow so they can be free of distractions and have access to the resources they need to succeed. Structure and boundaries come in the form of rules and procedures that remain consistent and become a reliable source of cause and effect for students to understand. Students need to feel safe and free to express their authentic selves to their peers and their teachers. They need to be able to express their ideas honestly without fear of judgement. The student community is comprised of unique individuals that provide diverse perspectives, skills and abilities that can aid each other in their collective success. I will promote global awareness by addressing what’s going on around the world and introducing material that engages topics on a broader scale. Student needs will be met through discussion and mediation, inquiry and debate. The classroom should be designed in a way that students have areas to work in where they feel comfortable and safe. Students need spaces to reflect or to be uninterrupted in their working process. I believe in opening channels of communication between teachers, colleagues, administrators and parents through advocating and promoting the support of creative strategies in education, community events, written and verbal communication using technology and face to face interaction.
- All students want to be successful but sometimes they need additional tools and knowledge to do so. It is my duty to provide differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all learners through visual aids, oral and written instruction, organizational materials, assistive technology and other materials that provide accessibility to the diverse learning community. For students to truly engage with the tasks presented to them, they need ample time to consider the material and reflect upon their ideas and approaches to solving problems. Flexibility of deadlines should only be allowed if they can be supported by compelling argument by the student through circumstance trying circumstances or exceptional effort. I believe assessment should aid students in deeper understanding and higher order thinking and to correct mistakes and ensure no student falls behind. For students to guide their own learning, it is important that they engage in self-assessment and receive feedback from their peers. The duty of the teacher is to determine mastery of content and guide and assist learners toward that goal by engaging in meaningful dialogue that stretches their thinking and provides opportunities for deeper inquiry. Students should be prepared to meet state and national standards through thoughtful and thorough instruction that is both challenging and engaging. The content of lessons should always adhere precisely to the goals of each standard for assessment.
- It is my duty as a teacher to help students build self-confidence through providing motivation and encouragement and by scaffolding instruction to meet learner needs. I believe in modeling instruction so that students have an opportunity to observe and practice the steps needed to accomplish their goals. Modeling allows students to observe, practice and understand the process of inquiry and applied knowledge from the perspective of the teacher leading instruction. This strategy builds within the student a form of self-efficacy that they can master over time. I believe it is important for teachers to be capable of modeling the strategies and steps they expect their students to follow. I want to help students develop a love of learning and the acquiring of knowledge and skills. I want students to appreciate the importance of becoming life-long learners. By expressing my own enthusiasm for the content of each lesson, there is a better chance that enthusiasm will spread to the students as well.
- As a teacher, I must set a strong example for students to follow if I wish for them to succeed. Being a teacher is a great responsibility as my actions and methods influence student behavior and understanding. I believe it is important for teachers to be open and honest with their students if they expect their students to be open and honest with them. For teachers to be treated with dignity and respect, they need to extend dignity and respect to their students as well. It is important that teachers express their belief in the ability of their students to succeed through words of encouragement and reward for excellence. Teachers also need to be able to provide strategies for resolving conflict and to facilitate discussion that promotes empathetic dialogue.
- It is my goal to engage students in higher order thinking and to encourage making connections between the content they are learning and their personal experiences in life. I have been able to meet these goals through providing open ended questions for students to answer that build off personal experience. I will continue to encourage empathy and cooperation through community building activities and group work. My approach to education is largely choice based, allowing students the opportunity to express creative freedom. I also believe it is important to instruct students in foundational skills that will allow them to make the most out of the choices they are given. Well balanced instruction includes practice of traditional skills as well as freedom to bend or break the rules or find new and unique solutions to problem solving. I like to take the role of the “warm demander” when managing classroom behavior. I try to develop relationships with the students and let them understand that I have confidence in their abilities to be successful. I set high expectations, but I know that each student can achieve each goal.