Shaping Diamonds

I believe that every child is an incredibly unique and special being with the
potential to bring a beautiful joy and wonder to this world, much like an uncut diamond. I
will strive to provide a secure, caring and stimulating environment in which they can
grow not just physically but emotionally, intellectually and socially. It is my deepest
desire to guide them, shape them and polish them as they discover the incredible potential
they all hold inside and learn to be that bright shinning gem. To achieve this I will
establish our classroom as a safe environment conducive to learning by first acting as
their guide, second by allowing and encouraging each childs instinctive curiosity to
direct their learning path and lastly by promoting and demonstrating respect for all things
and for all people.
I am currently finishing my work towards becoming a certified Bilingual EC 6
Generalist and have a special heart towards this age range since my daughter is in sixth
grade and my son is in first grade. I feel that this is the most important time in a childs
life and education as it is the foundation on which all further learning will build. I also
plan to teach in the Anna Van Alstyne area since this is the community that I and my
family live and I want to contribute to my community. Since this is my home, I want to
dedicate my life to unearthing and perfecting the precious gems that are right here in our
own backyard.
To achieve this I must first acknowledge that every child is different and that their
needs, learning styles and abilities are unique. My first role as their teacher is to be their
guide to knowledge not to act as the primary source of it. This requires giving them
direction, gently steering and leading them to new information as they seek answers to

their questions. I will incorporate themes, integrated units, projects, group work, as well
as individual work and I will provide hands-on activities allowing ample time to discover
and practice skills in authentic situations. Lessons will be structured but not so rigid that
we are not capable of being flexible or adjusting and adapting in order to explore a new
discovery, thought, concept or idea that a student may have, after all, learning is
discovery and discovery is very seldom pre-planned.
Our classroom will be a safe, secure, caring area where each child is encouraged
to examine, polish and hone the facets of their personalities and learning styles. Students
will be encouraged to become responsible members of the class by using methods like
class meetings, integrating democratic principles and using positive discipline. Students
will have the opportunity to dialogue about the lessons and units of study and encouraged
to offer input and help generate goals giving them ownership over their own learning
plans. They will also actively participate in the establishment, implementation and
enforcement of the disciplinary rules for the class thereby accepting responsibility and
taking ownership of their own actions and subsequent consequences. In doing this I hope
to instill in the children a sense of responsibility for themselves as well as their own
learning and thus helping them to become successful in life as well as school.
To me, teaching is simply the act of shared learning and learning is an ongoing
lifelong process. I feel that my role as a teacher is like that of the gem cutter, in that all
children have within them a brilliance that cannot be manufactured. My goal is to help
shape and impart onto them the finish that releases the fire inside them to be seen by all.

** I feel that the Technology Applications Standards For All Beginning Teachers
addressed in this assignment are Standards IV & V:
Standard IV. All teachers communicate information in different formats and for diverse
audiences.
Standard V. All teachers know how to plan, organize, deliver, and evaluate instruction for
all students that incorporates the effective use of current technology for teaching and
integrating the Technology Applications Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
into the curriculum.