Philosophy

Angela McPeake
September 2014
This is a composition of my pre-teaching philosophy beliefs. It is the starting point of where my
future teaching philosophy will develop from. Here are five of my beliefs and experiences which
have created the foundation of my philosophy.

My experience of teachers and their teaching strategies in primary and secondary school
was not positive. I struggled through school and was often withdrawn from lessons
because I was not interested. The teaching methods my used in my classrooms were
typically just general lectures followed by a written activity, usually requiring little
thought. It is because of my experience in school that I believe classrooms should be
interactive and engaging. In order for all students to learn I think that multiple teaching
strategies need to be used and its up to the teacher to recognize how each student learns
best.

Through my childhood, I was involved in a variety of groups and activities outside of

school. This included; dance, swimming, music lessons, girl guides. My parents always
promoted me to pursue my interests. I believe it is because of this that I am now an openminded and goal driven individual. I think it is important for children to be able to
recognise their interests and passions in order to set personal goals. As a pursuing teacher
I believe that students should be treated as individuals in the classroom and recognise
their strengths, weaknesses, and interests in order to set and accomplish goals. It is up to
the teacher to act as a support system to guide students in achieving educational goals.

From ages 4-15 I was a part of the girl guides of Canada. It was influential to me because
it helped me understand and become an active member of the community. I also
increased my self-esteem through the use of team and leadership skills. I believe that a
classroom should have a sense of community. Students should learn to be respectful,
understanding, and trustworthy to peers in the classroom environment. I think its a life
skill which contributes to each individuals place in their larger community.

My childhood was rich with outdoor experiences. As a child I was able to explore, create,
and learn through the environment and outdoor activities. I believe its important for the
teacher to enrich the classroom with outdoor experiences, representations, and
information. Children are now living in a society which relies on technology for
entertainment and problem solving. I think it is important for students to acknowledge
and be aware of life away without the reliance of technology.

In contrast, I also believe that is important for technology to be appropriately integrated

into todays classrooms. In my learning experiences technology tools were not used in my
classrooms. Computer class was separate from all the core subjects, including the
computer instructor. I believe students should have the opportunity to apply technology
skills and tools as a part of their learning strategy. I will be knowledgeable and
resourceful for students to accomplish learning tasks by any means necessary. Some of
the benefits I believe students will gain from technology integration and accessibility
include; cooperation, collaboration, self-direction, leadership, and useful tech skills.