EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
"A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove- but what will matter is that the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child."
The quote above sums up into one clear and distinct sentence why I chose to be an educator. I chose to be a teacher because I want to make a difference. I believe that the classroom is one of the most important places a child will find themselves in the crucial years of their childhood. I believe that all children can be taught, even the difficult ones. I also believe that the best of teachers can make even the most difficult student enjoy learning. I want to be the one teacher in the children's lives who really makes learning exciting for them. My philosophy is about making children want to learn. It is my opinion that no extrinsic motivation can replace a genuine interest in the curriculum. I do all that I can to ensure that my classroom and my daily lesson plans are engaging and hands on, creating a positive learning atmosphere.
Something I have held close to me over the years is that every child is different and no one classroom can be taught in one specific way. The teacher must be creative and able to think on his or her feet. Every student will learn in a different style and it is important that the teacher takes notice of that. This is our chance as educators to get our students interested. We must take it to different levels and take whatever means necessary to make sure every child understands and that no one is left behind. Differentiating lesson plans and modifying instruction for students has proven to be one of the largest parts of my teaching philosophy. I find that regardless of how a child is classified, what I am teaching to them can always be altered to a style or idea that the child can understand. Whether I am splitting the children into small groups, conferencing with a child, or using whole group instruction, I do not feel fulfilled until I feel that every child has learned what I intended. I am confident in the fact that my creativity and ability to think on my feet greatly contributes to who I am as a teacher.
I believe that it is also very important to take my students' home lives and cultures into consideration when planning my lessons from day to day. I want to make a point as part of the education of my students to get to know each of them on a personal level. I focus so closely on the culture and traditions of the students and their families and I try to incorporate that into my lesson planning, as well as their personal interests and abilities. I want my students to feel comfortable coming to me when they need advice or simply to tell me a funny story. I want to be the one person in that child's life who believes in them. I want my classroom to be a place where they can feel safe. Along with these examples of compassion, I also realize that I hold high expectations for children and work with each child individually to set short and long term goals for themselves as not only learners during the school day, but for their lives outside of the school building as well. All children deserve a quality education, and although they are all coming from different homes and different lives, I will continue to hold them to the highest standards to which I know they are capable of reaching.
I believe that teachers should teach from their hearts and not from the books. I am confident in my ability to teach to the curriculum as well as teaching with true passion. I really believe that a good education can open up so many different opportunities for children, even in the younger elementary grades. Education is important on every level from socialization to content particular academics. School is a necessary setting for children and more importantly children need a assured classroom teacher. I believe that teachers should be up to date with current events and have a sufficient knowledge of history and everything in between. I believe that teachers should use manipulatives and make math fun! I believe that teachers should allow room for creativity in a child's writing. I believe that teachers should be willing to allow hands on experiments in their classrooms. I believe a teacher should be willing to do absolutely whatever it takes to make sure active learning is taking place within the school.
I am enthusiastic about learning as much from my students as they will learn from me. I will adapt with every changing year and innovate my lessons to be the most beneficial they can possibly be to each new set of children. I know that everyday will be a challenge, but just as I will be challenging my students, I must also challenge myself. If I am setting high expectations for them, I must also do so for myself so that together, we can become the best teachers and learners we can possibly be. I do not teach for the money, I find my reward in the happiness it brings me when I see a child finally understand. I do not teach so I can live in a big house or drive a nice car, my classroom will be home enough. And I do not teach for anyone other than myself and my future students. I teach because it is what I love to do. I teach because I want to make a difference in this world and what better way to start than with children, our future. I want to teach because I know that when I see a group of children come into my classroom in September and see those same children leave in June, I will feel proud of who they have become as well as proud of the teacher they have made me.
Something I have held close to me over the years is that every child is different and no one classroom can be taught in one specific way. The teacher must be creative and able to think on his or her feet. Every student will learn in a different style and it is important that the teacher takes notice of that. This is our chance as educators to get our students interested. We must take it to different levels and take whatever means necessary to make sure every child understands and that no one is left behind. Differentiating lesson plans and modifying instruction for students has proven to be one of the largest parts of my teaching philosophy. I find that regardless of how a child is classified, what I am teaching to them can always be altered to a style or idea that the child can understand. Whether I am splitting the children into small groups, conferencing with a child, or using whole group instruction, I do not feel fulfilled until I feel that every child has learned what I intended. I am confident in the fact that my creativity and ability to think on my feet greatly contributes to who I am as a teacher.
I believe that it is also very important to take my students' home lives and cultures into consideration when planning my lessons from day to day. I want to make a point as part of the education of my students to get to know each of them on a personal level. I focus so closely on the culture and traditions of the students and their families and I try to incorporate that into my lesson planning, as well as their personal interests and abilities. I want my students to feel comfortable coming to me when they need advice or simply to tell me a funny story. I want to be the one person in that child's life who believes in them. I want my classroom to be a place where they can feel safe. Along with these examples of compassion, I also realize that I hold high expectations for children and work with each child individually to set short and long term goals for themselves as not only learners during the school day, but for their lives outside of the school building as well. All children deserve a quality education, and although they are all coming from different homes and different lives, I will continue to hold them to the highest standards to which I know they are capable of reaching.
I believe that teachers should teach from their hearts and not from the books. I am confident in my ability to teach to the curriculum as well as teaching with true passion. I really believe that a good education can open up so many different opportunities for children, even in the younger elementary grades. Education is important on every level from socialization to content particular academics. School is a necessary setting for children and more importantly children need a assured classroom teacher. I believe that teachers should be up to date with current events and have a sufficient knowledge of history and everything in between. I believe that teachers should use manipulatives and make math fun! I believe that teachers should allow room for creativity in a child's writing. I believe that teachers should be willing to allow hands on experiments in their classrooms. I believe a teacher should be willing to do absolutely whatever it takes to make sure active learning is taking place within the school.
I am enthusiastic about learning as much from my students as they will learn from me. I will adapt with every changing year and innovate my lessons to be the most beneficial they can possibly be to each new set of children. I know that everyday will be a challenge, but just as I will be challenging my students, I must also challenge myself. If I am setting high expectations for them, I must also do so for myself so that together, we can become the best teachers and learners we can possibly be. I do not teach for the money, I find my reward in the happiness it brings me when I see a child finally understand. I do not teach so I can live in a big house or drive a nice car, my classroom will be home enough. And I do not teach for anyone other than myself and my future students. I teach because it is what I love to do. I teach because I want to make a difference in this world and what better way to start than with children, our future. I want to teach because I know that when I see a group of children come into my classroom in September and see those same children leave in June, I will feel proud of who they have become as well as proud of the teacher they have made me.