My Teaching Philosophy
As a future educator, I believe that:
Each and every child has the potential to learn.
All students that will enter my future classroom will be treated equally, with no prejudice or hindering boundaries. The home lives of students determine a great deal of what can happen once a child begins their academic career; however, an effective, quality teacher can make all of the difference. I strive to work with individual students to break down any barriers they face or hardships they encounter to ensure that ALL of my students will have an equal opportunity to learn. In many school districts there are a limited number of resources for students to use, such as technology. It is my job as an educator to find the best possible solutions to problems like this. It is imperative that every child feel as if they have been given a solid education, provided by a knowledgeable educator who believes in the potential success of all children.
All students deserve an education tailored to their needs.
It is vital that educators are able to differentiate their material to specific level learners. The benefits of differentiated instruction are great in number. Today's classrooms are filled with diverse learners who differ not only culturally and linguistically, but also in their cognitive abilities, background knowledge, and learning preferences. Faced with such diversity, many schools are implementing differentiated instruction in an effort to effectively address all students' learning needs. If a student is not properly addressed in accordance with their abilities or disabilities, it is likely that they will fall behind the rest of the class, drowning in the difficulty of the unmodified material. In my opinion it is essential for teachers to accommodate all learners not only by federal law, but by moral code, as well.
Establishing structure and good classroom management practices is crucial.
Without implementing good classroom management practices, a teacher can lose control of the students and his or her position. A teacher must establish a set of clear expectations and rules, as well as consequences for any opposing actions. I believe that human beings thrive structure and need to know what is expected of them in order to succeed; this is especially the case for children. Children are imaginative and unpredictable by nature, and with guidance, can be productive members of the classroom, and ultimately society. Setting up a routine with students on the very first days of a new school year is essential in implementing classroom management, including rules/expectations, consequences, positive reinforcement opportunities, and an optimistic attitude. It is also imperative that a teacher follow through with a routine in order to gain respect and structure within his or her classroom. An organized classroom structure needs clear guidelines, smooth transitions, and consistency.
A classroom is a community.
Assuring students that the classroom is a "safe zone" is very important in gaining trust and respect. By introducing the classroom as a community, students can compare to the morals and values of their own community. Creating a trusting, judgement-free environment for students to share thoughts, express feelings, and learn to the best of their abilities is one of the most rewarding aspects of classroom management. This concept allows students the freedom to express themselves naturally, without hindering creativity or engaging in fear of embarrassment.
Students learn best when visualizing and participating in hands-on exploration.
Children are naturally curious, which provides for many questions, inquiries, and discussion. I feel that it is important to use project-based learning methods, as well as inquiry-based learning methods, to enhance the educational experience of students. Through project-based learning the teacher is a facilitator, allowing the students to explore, comprehend, and analyze subjects on their own, in their own ways. Inquiry-based learning allows for research, predictions, and analysis among many subject areas, which promotes the notion that "there are no stupid questions."
A teacher is always a student.
Teachers may have the skills and content knowledge necessary in order to succeed in their profession, but a great teacher will always continue learning. Professional development is one of the most essential parts of being a teacher, for times are always changing and with that, materials, technology, curriculum, and the education system can change, as well. There is always going to be room for a teacher to improve his or her methods and enhance their own knowledge in order to provide the most cohesive learning experience for their students. A quality teacher knows and understands the ramifications that come with the profession and should always remain on his or her toes, anticipating the newest practices for improvement.
Each and every child has the potential to learn.
All students that will enter my future classroom will be treated equally, with no prejudice or hindering boundaries. The home lives of students determine a great deal of what can happen once a child begins their academic career; however, an effective, quality teacher can make all of the difference. I strive to work with individual students to break down any barriers they face or hardships they encounter to ensure that ALL of my students will have an equal opportunity to learn. In many school districts there are a limited number of resources for students to use, such as technology. It is my job as an educator to find the best possible solutions to problems like this. It is imperative that every child feel as if they have been given a solid education, provided by a knowledgeable educator who believes in the potential success of all children.
All students deserve an education tailored to their needs.
It is vital that educators are able to differentiate their material to specific level learners. The benefits of differentiated instruction are great in number. Today's classrooms are filled with diverse learners who differ not only culturally and linguistically, but also in their cognitive abilities, background knowledge, and learning preferences. Faced with such diversity, many schools are implementing differentiated instruction in an effort to effectively address all students' learning needs. If a student is not properly addressed in accordance with their abilities or disabilities, it is likely that they will fall behind the rest of the class, drowning in the difficulty of the unmodified material. In my opinion it is essential for teachers to accommodate all learners not only by federal law, but by moral code, as well.
Establishing structure and good classroom management practices is crucial.
Without implementing good classroom management practices, a teacher can lose control of the students and his or her position. A teacher must establish a set of clear expectations and rules, as well as consequences for any opposing actions. I believe that human beings thrive structure and need to know what is expected of them in order to succeed; this is especially the case for children. Children are imaginative and unpredictable by nature, and with guidance, can be productive members of the classroom, and ultimately society. Setting up a routine with students on the very first days of a new school year is essential in implementing classroom management, including rules/expectations, consequences, positive reinforcement opportunities, and an optimistic attitude. It is also imperative that a teacher follow through with a routine in order to gain respect and structure within his or her classroom. An organized classroom structure needs clear guidelines, smooth transitions, and consistency.
A classroom is a community.
Assuring students that the classroom is a "safe zone" is very important in gaining trust and respect. By introducing the classroom as a community, students can compare to the morals and values of their own community. Creating a trusting, judgement-free environment for students to share thoughts, express feelings, and learn to the best of their abilities is one of the most rewarding aspects of classroom management. This concept allows students the freedom to express themselves naturally, without hindering creativity or engaging in fear of embarrassment.
Students learn best when visualizing and participating in hands-on exploration.
Children are naturally curious, which provides for many questions, inquiries, and discussion. I feel that it is important to use project-based learning methods, as well as inquiry-based learning methods, to enhance the educational experience of students. Through project-based learning the teacher is a facilitator, allowing the students to explore, comprehend, and analyze subjects on their own, in their own ways. Inquiry-based learning allows for research, predictions, and analysis among many subject areas, which promotes the notion that "there are no stupid questions."
A teacher is always a student.
Teachers may have the skills and content knowledge necessary in order to succeed in their profession, but a great teacher will always continue learning. Professional development is one of the most essential parts of being a teacher, for times are always changing and with that, materials, technology, curriculum, and the education system can change, as well. There is always going to be room for a teacher to improve his or her methods and enhance their own knowledge in order to provide the most cohesive learning experience for their students. A quality teacher knows and understands the ramifications that come with the profession and should always remain on his or her toes, anticipating the newest practices for improvement.