My Educational Philosphy
Ever since childhood, I have desired to be a teacher. My fondest childhood memories always involved me playing teacher. My favorite memory was when I purchased a teacher’s edition math book at the age of six and began to “teach” my grandmother how to add. I stood in front of her with sheer confidence as I began to explain the answer was four. The feeling that overcame me felt right. Ever since that day, I knew I was going to be a teacher.
Teaching is more than grading papers and preparing students for statewide assessments, it is changing the life of a child. To begin to impact young lives, a teacher must establish a positive, safe learning environment. This is done by establishing rapport with students before school even starts. Letters sent home, home visits, and phone calls should be made to future students. By going this extra step, students will be aware the teacher cares and is interested in their lives. On the first day, the teacher and students should collaborate and establish a set of classroom rules. This creates an environment that everyone agrees on. With students being involved, a sense of belonging is instituted in their new classroom. I believe it is essential for students to have a morning meeting to greet fellow students and learn their classroom job, which will rotate weekly. This sense of belonging equals cooperation and participation creating successful students. My learning community will be a blend of guided teaching and cooperative learning. By using cooperative learning, I will teach my students to accept different perspectives and new stimuli. As a teacher, I will act as a guide. I will be a source of information where my students will use their natural curiosity to lead their learning. My students will experience learning through hands-on activities, work stations, whole group mini lessons, and small group instruction. By using various teaching styles, students will learn to work together and independently.
I will not be the focus of my classroom. My students will be my number one priority where I strive to meet each individual need. I will adapt my teaching styles to accommodate every student. Every child deserves a chance at an equal education, and I will do my best to grant that opportunity. I will begin my journey by learning my students. By learning their interests and dislikes, I will create lessons that my students will enjoy. By using authentic examples and lessons that stimulate multiple intelligences, I will teach.
Education is the building blocks to life. Being an educator, I will grant every child the chance to learn. Through my classroom, students will have the opportunity to gain love, knowledge, and new experiences. Education is the key to the future, and as a teacher, I will help my students open that door.