Philosophy of Learning
Why I Became an Educator
“I believe that children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside, give them a sense of pride.”
-Whitney Houston
I became an educator to make a difference in the lives of children, inspire others, and have a big impact on the world. My desire to help others started at a young age. I truly believe children are our future and it is through the hands and minds of children that we shape our society. As an educator, I have the opportunity to positively impact each student’s life, set fire to their passion for learning, and encourage them to reach beyond their horizons with high expectations. I became an educator to work through the obstacles, learn from mistakes, and celebrate the victories with every student I teach. There is not a more rewarding career in the world.
My Purpose as an Educator
"Ideal teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross, then having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create bridges of their own."
- Nikos Kazantzakis
Children are naturally curious about the world around them. It is my purpose as an educator to take these sparks of curiosity and ignite their love of learning. I demand excellence from every student, regardless of their previous experiences and abilities. It is my duty to create a student-centered classroom dependent upon sincere relationships with every individual student in order to connect instruction with background knowledge, personal interest, and individualize instruction. It is my responsibility to teach each of my students to be critical thinkers, problem solvers, and analyze everything around them in order to be productive citizens in society. At the end of the day, each of my students will know they are smart, cared for, trusted, loved, and will be successful if they work hard.
My Students as Learners
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go.”
-Dr. Seuss
Every student in my room will see the value in becoming a lifelong learner. As a teacher, it is one of the most important concepts I will teach my students. I believe it is important to teach students that learning takes place during every moment of every day. Regardless of life outside the classroom, education will allow my students to reach their goals, dreams, and desires in the future. Students will develop a strong work ethic and take responsibility for their own educational journey in my classroom. Every student can, and will, be a learner in my classroom through differentiated instruction and high expectations for all.
My Teaching Style
“They inspire you, they entertain you, and you end up learning a ton even when you don't know it.”
- Nicholas Sparks
I believe it is not possible to be an effective educator without a student-centered classroom and well developed relationships with each and every individual student in my classroom. I like to have fun and am a high energy individual, which is reflected in my teaching. Students in my room are constantly on the move as movement, group work, and inquiry style learning are incorporated daily. Students are hands-on and minds-on throughout each lesson.
Student Assessment
“Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.” -Albert Einstein
Assessments are given frequently and in a variety of forms. Just as instruction should be differentiated, assessments should be differentiated as well. This allows every student to celebrate their learning in an effective and meaningful way for them personally. It is my purpose as an educator to measure student understanding and this is done most effectively when the assessment varies dependent upon the content, student, and the goals of the lesson.
Classroom Management
In an effective classroom students should not only know what they are doing, they should also know why and how.''
-Harry Wong
Classroom control is established by mutual respect and engaging instruction. I believe in serving as a class manager rather than a disciplinarian. By being transparent with the students about my expectations and the purpose of a lesson, students understand why they need to be engaged learners in my room. I emphasize positive behavior and encourage students to be active members of our classroom. I give student praise continually every day and want to make sure that each individual student understands how valuable they are not only in our classroom, but as a member of society. Through our classroom economy students are paid for class jobs, exceeding expectations, and going above and beyond. At the end of each month student workers run a school store where students are able to shop with their economy money.
Classroom Environment
“We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character--that is the goal of true education.”
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Students know my classroom as a safe, fun, and exciting place to learn from their mistakes. Teaching tolerance through literature will ensure all students feel comfortable and give everyone a greater perspective of the world around them. Through the use of sensory tools, headphones, and yoga balls students will acclimate the environment so that their best learning can take place. While an understanding of content is essential, through class jobs, discussion, and service learning projects my students will become well-rounded citizens of society.
A Typical Day in my Classroom
“We are never more fully alive, more completely ourselves or more deeply engrossed in anything than when we are playing.”
-Charles Schaefer
In my class students ‘play’ every day. Research-based nontraditional instruction must be used alongside traditional instruction to develop interest in and understanding of content. Daily routines will always be posted for students so they can begin preparing and activating their schema from the moment they enter the classroom. At the beginning of every day we will share good things with one another. This gives all students the opportunity to start the day on a positive note regardless of what happened at home, on the bus, or in the hallway prior to class. Collaborative work fosters a sense of community in my room. Working with peers builds respect for others and broadens the perspectives of individual students.
“I believe that children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside, give them a sense of pride.”
-Whitney Houston
I became an educator to make a difference in the lives of children, inspire others, and have a big impact on the world. My desire to help others started at a young age. I truly believe children are our future and it is through the hands and minds of children that we shape our society. As an educator, I have the opportunity to positively impact each student’s life, set fire to their passion for learning, and encourage them to reach beyond their horizons with high expectations. I became an educator to work through the obstacles, learn from mistakes, and celebrate the victories with every student I teach. There is not a more rewarding career in the world.
My Purpose as an Educator
"Ideal teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross, then having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create bridges of their own."
- Nikos Kazantzakis
Children are naturally curious about the world around them. It is my purpose as an educator to take these sparks of curiosity and ignite their love of learning. I demand excellence from every student, regardless of their previous experiences and abilities. It is my duty to create a student-centered classroom dependent upon sincere relationships with every individual student in order to connect instruction with background knowledge, personal interest, and individualize instruction. It is my responsibility to teach each of my students to be critical thinkers, problem solvers, and analyze everything around them in order to be productive citizens in society. At the end of the day, each of my students will know they are smart, cared for, trusted, loved, and will be successful if they work hard.
My Students as Learners
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go.”
-Dr. Seuss
Every student in my room will see the value in becoming a lifelong learner. As a teacher, it is one of the most important concepts I will teach my students. I believe it is important to teach students that learning takes place during every moment of every day. Regardless of life outside the classroom, education will allow my students to reach their goals, dreams, and desires in the future. Students will develop a strong work ethic and take responsibility for their own educational journey in my classroom. Every student can, and will, be a learner in my classroom through differentiated instruction and high expectations for all.
My Teaching Style
“They inspire you, they entertain you, and you end up learning a ton even when you don't know it.”
- Nicholas Sparks
I believe it is not possible to be an effective educator without a student-centered classroom and well developed relationships with each and every individual student in my classroom. I like to have fun and am a high energy individual, which is reflected in my teaching. Students in my room are constantly on the move as movement, group work, and inquiry style learning are incorporated daily. Students are hands-on and minds-on throughout each lesson.
Student Assessment
“Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.” -Albert Einstein
Assessments are given frequently and in a variety of forms. Just as instruction should be differentiated, assessments should be differentiated as well. This allows every student to celebrate their learning in an effective and meaningful way for them personally. It is my purpose as an educator to measure student understanding and this is done most effectively when the assessment varies dependent upon the content, student, and the goals of the lesson.
Classroom Management
In an effective classroom students should not only know what they are doing, they should also know why and how.''
-Harry Wong
Classroom control is established by mutual respect and engaging instruction. I believe in serving as a class manager rather than a disciplinarian. By being transparent with the students about my expectations and the purpose of a lesson, students understand why they need to be engaged learners in my room. I emphasize positive behavior and encourage students to be active members of our classroom. I give student praise continually every day and want to make sure that each individual student understands how valuable they are not only in our classroom, but as a member of society. Through our classroom economy students are paid for class jobs, exceeding expectations, and going above and beyond. At the end of each month student workers run a school store where students are able to shop with their economy money.
Classroom Environment
“We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character--that is the goal of true education.”
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Students know my classroom as a safe, fun, and exciting place to learn from their mistakes. Teaching tolerance through literature will ensure all students feel comfortable and give everyone a greater perspective of the world around them. Through the use of sensory tools, headphones, and yoga balls students will acclimate the environment so that their best learning can take place. While an understanding of content is essential, through class jobs, discussion, and service learning projects my students will become well-rounded citizens of society.
A Typical Day in my Classroom
“We are never more fully alive, more completely ourselves or more deeply engrossed in anything than when we are playing.”
-Charles Schaefer
In my class students ‘play’ every day. Research-based nontraditional instruction must be used alongside traditional instruction to develop interest in and understanding of content. Daily routines will always be posted for students so they can begin preparing and activating their schema from the moment they enter the classroom. At the beginning of every day we will share good things with one another. This gives all students the opportunity to start the day on a positive note regardless of what happened at home, on the bus, or in the hallway prior to class. Collaborative work fosters a sense of community in my room. Working with peers builds respect for others and broadens the perspectives of individual students.