Philosophy of Education

My philosophy of education combines teacher and student responsibilities. I think being a successful teacher means doing what is right for each individual student. Every child is unique and should be accepted as such. It's imperative to develop flexible and creative lesson plans that appeal to a variety of students' interests and skills. When differentiation of curriculum is implemented, I think that all children can learn. As a teacher, one of my primary goals is to figure out how each child learns and incorporate those findings into my unit plans.

In return, students have a responsibility to advocate for themselves. Children should be encouraged to ask for what they need, express themselves appropriately, and contribute pertinent comments to class discussions.

The classroom is not mine; it is ours. For the year to be triumphant for all, the students and I need to be a team. Ultimately, I believe that students will succeed if they're provided with guidance, a safe learning environment, high expectations, and modeling.

MEETING STUDENTS' NEEDS
I strongly believe that every child is exceptional and arrives in the classroom with specific needs. Those needs may include academic, emotional, and/or social. As a teacher, it is my duty to find out the students' needs and meet them accordingly. It is also my job to patiently implement various modifications until success if reached. Children should be given what they require to learn without feeling embarrassed or put in an uncomfortable situation.

FOSTERING A SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
In order for children to learn, they need to feel safe in the classroom. Respect, unity, and individuality are all items that should be incorporated into a caring, risk-free environment. When children feel secure, they are more likely to become engaged. They will respect themselves, others, and materials. The class will work together but also accept differences amongst themselves, as individual traits are valued, too.

SETTING HIGH EXPECTATIONS
Teachers who believe in their students have students who succeed. Setting high but reachable expectations for students is imperative to keep them motivated and positive about learning. Expectations should be continually reassessed and new goals established as the year progresses. Students should realize that learning is a continuous process that needs to be constantly evaluated.

PROMOTING LIFE-LONG LEARNING
Encouraging children to explore in a variety of ways, express themselves, and develop learning strengths will cultivate a well-rounded individual. The goal of teaching is not only to have a good year but also to help students develop those skills necessary to lead a good life and function happily in their community as well as the world. Using a variety of teaching techniques and material assists students in recognizing the multiple ways to acquire and seek out information.