My Teaching Philosophy
I have a passion for educating ALL students and creating a
classroom environment that molds itself to the needs of each and every student.
I believe that all students have the ability to learn and as a teacher, it is
my responsibility to bring the desire to learn to the surface as well as
provide the opportunity for all students to learn. In order to achieve this in
my classroom I keep the following in mind:
1.) Create positive relationships with students and families
2.) Focus the learning and lessons on the students
3.) Differentiating instruction
4.) Set clear routines and expectations
5.) Continue my learning and modeling that for my students
1.) Create positive relationships with students and families
2.) Focus the learning and lessons on the students
3.) Differentiating instruction
4.) Set clear routines and expectations
5.) Continue my learning and modeling that for my students
1.) Creating positive relationships with students and families
It is vital to build relationships with students and their families. A teacher must learn about each student academically as well as their interests outside of school. This allows a teacher to create the most beneficial learning environment for each student. Teachers must also learn about the families of their students and the community in order to utilize the unique characteristics of those families in order to bridge the gap between home and school. Through these positive relationships a safe and nurturing classroom can thrive and provide the best learning opportunity for all students.
It is vital to build relationships with students and their families. A teacher must learn about each student academically as well as their interests outside of school. This allows a teacher to create the most beneficial learning environment for each student. Teachers must also learn about the families of their students and the community in order to utilize the unique characteristics of those families in order to bridge the gap between home and school. Through these positive relationships a safe and nurturing classroom can thrive and provide the best learning opportunity for all students.
2.) Focus the learning and lessons on the students
I have found that student engagement is one of the keys to learning. In order to achieve student engagement in my classroom I focus the learning and lessons on my students. I make the lessons about them. This usually takes shape throughout the year as my students’ interests are voiced and the curriculum is molded to fit those interests. This also occurs in the middle of units or lessons where student engagement is heightened by an activity or possibly lowered, which calls for adjustments in my planning to form the upcoming lessons and activities more around those interests. By focusing the learning and lessons on my students, I provide an opportunity for the most learning by all students. |
3.) Differentiating instruction
Every classroom is made up of a variety of skills, interests and abilities. In order to meet all of those differences and provide the best learning opportunities for all my students, a teacher must differentiate instruction. I have had a lot of experience addressing a wide range of skills and abilities in my classroom as I spent my student teaching in a 4th and 5th grade split class. My classroom had a wide range of skills and abilities across the two grades as well as within the grades. I addressed this wide range of skills and abilities by designing my instruction largely around small group and guided group work. This classroom structure allows me, as the teacher, to address more individual needs by catering instruction towards a smaller group of students will similar skills and abilities or possibly all different skills and abilities, depending on the purpose of the lesson or activity. |
4.) Set clear routines and expectations
In order to maintain this small group structure in my classroom I will develop routines that clearly define what students who are in my small group as well as not in my small group need to be doing during that time. These routines will be introduced in the first weeks of school and reinforced throughout the school year. This will allow me to focus on the students I am working with while the rest of the students are productively working independently. On a broader scale, creating clear routines and expectations allow the day to run smoothly and allow for the most focus on learning. 5.) Continue my learning and modeling that for my students
As a teacher I am a continuous learner. I strive to always try my best and learn from my mistakes in all aspects of my teaching. I focus on learning from my students, the community, families and my co-workers. I also make sure that my students see this determination to be a life-long learner and how learning is a skill that will be needed in the rest of their lives. |