Teaching Philosophy

I believe teaching is a life-long learning process and regardless of ones years of experience, there is always room for improvement. I feel that in a world as ever changing as ours, it is crucial for teachers to be open-minded and receptive to new ideas and styles of teaching. A strong teacher is willing to experiment with and adapt a wide variety of teaching methods, as he or she understands no two students ever learn in the same way. I believe in creating a safe, welcoming and nurturing classroom community that fits the diverse needs of all students. I feel all students need a calm and comfortable, yet stimulating atmosphere in which to grow and mature emotionally, intellectually, physically, and socially. It is my goal as an educator to help students meet their fullest potential in these areas by providing an environment that supports risk-taking, invites the sharing of ideas and encourages self-discovery. My classroom will be a place where all students can learn without fear of failure and a place where they can succeed based on their individual efforts and talents. All students have the capability for knowledge and learning, and they deserve their education to be in an encouraging and supportive environment. My classroom will be a place where all diversities (academic, cultural, economic, etc.) will be embraced and celebrated. I firmly believe the respect I show my students is the respect I will receive in return. I will help my students learn how to take care of and respect themselves, others, and the world around them. I will teach my students independence, responsibility, timemanagement, and organization. As I am convinced a teacher should be child-centered, I vow to take the time to connect with every student on a personal level. Although I will always be empathetic and compassionate towards my students, I will also always hold them to high standards to ensure they reach their fullest potential. I maintain that all classroom activities should be engaging and authentic. I want my students to be inspired and motivated to learn and, furthermore, I want them to be able to apply everything they learn to their everyday lives. Thus, it is my goal to develop curriculum around student interests to foster intrinsic motivation and stimulate their passion to learn. I will use differentiated instruction for all students, as I understand each child is a unique individual with diverse academic needs and abilities. I will also strive to incorporate a wide variety of kinesthetic, hands-on and technology-based activities in my classroom. Overall, I know tailoring my teaching style to fit the particular needs of my classroom will create ample learning opportunities for every student. Finally, in order to ensure my students are intrinsically motivated, life-long learners, I will lead by example. I will always strive to express my dedication to teaching, and convey my passion for learning.