Teaching Philosophy

I believe that every child is capable of learning. I also believe that every child possesses a genuine desire to learn. I believe that each child learns differently and that when taught in a way that is conducive to their unique learning style, learning can always be achieved. I believe that each child is unique and brings with them a different set of values, beliefs, experiences, and strengths. I believe that I cannot begin to teach or reach a child until I understand their background and where they come from. I believe that in order to teach children, we must know the children we teach. Forming personal relationships with my students is imperative to my teaching.

I believe that every child needs a secure, caring, and stimulating atmosphere in which to grow and mature not only physically and intellectually, but emotionally and socially as well. It is my desire as an educator to help students meet their learning potential by creating and providing for them an atmosphere that allows for and encourages such growth. I believe that children are the future.  As an educator it is not only my desire, but my duty to provide students with all of the necessary tools so that they can be successful in life and to believe in themselves. I believe that each and every child is capable. It is my desire to help students develop their potential and discover who they are.

Helping students to develop respect for themselves and others occurs through an open sharing of ideas. When the voice of each student is heard, an environment is created in which students feel free to express themselves. Only when students respect themselves and others will they feel comfortable enough to share their opinions and beliefs without fear of judgment or disrespect. It is my goal as an educator not only to stress the importance of respect, but to exemplify it in my teaching and classroom leadership as well. As an educator I must show respect in order to receive it and before I can expect students to practice it.

I believe that there is no such thing as a homogenous classroom. Every classroom is comprised of a unique community of learners varying in abilities and learning styles. My role as an educator to teach to the needs of each child so that they are successful individually. I am an educator because I have a passion for guiding students through the learning process in addition to the passion I have for the material. I encourage learning by creating an open and comfortable atmosphere in which students are respected by not only myself but by themselves and their peers as well.

I believe that every child should have the opportunity to study things that are meaningful and relevant to their own lives and interests. Developing a curriculum around student interests fosters intrinsic motivation and stimulates their passion to learn.

I believe that given the chance, literature has the power to enrich the lives of every student. Not every student will relate to every piece of literature; therefore, I value freedom of choice. When students are given the opportunity to choose the literature they read, it instills in them a genuine appreciation for what they are reading as well as providing an opportunity for them to take something from it. Exposing my students to culturally diverse literature will instill in them a better understanding of the world that they live in.  Connecting literature to different cultures motivates students to broaden their ideas about people different than them. In a time and in an area where diversity is very much a part of everyday life, students should be encouraged to explore ideas and experiences different than their own. By studying diverse literature, students will garnish a deeper appreciation for diversity and what can be gained from it. I believe that it is imperative in our ever changing world not only to celebrate diversity but to encourage students to be proud of their personal diverseness.