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MY PHILOSPHY Gutierrez 1

My Philosophy

Ashly Gutierrez

California State University Dominguez Hills


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My Philosphy

Teachers are often looked at as just educators—they are the ones who teach the kids the

math and English that they need to know. However, teachers are more than just educators. For

example, with some students they can be a parent that has time for them, and for another student,

a person who believes in them. I believe that some teachers are boggled down by all the

standards and papers they need to get through that they forget that they are more than just

educators. This can cause teachers to go through the school day uninterested, which then can lead

to students falling behind and barely passing. I intend to make sure that every student

understands what they are learning so that they can be ready for whatever might come after being

in my class. I intend on doing this by understanding where each of my students come from,

giving them extra resources, and encouraging class participation. I also intend on making sure

that I am meeting on students according to their learning style.

Making my Students Comfortable

When you meet somebody for the first time you do not just tell them everything about

yourselves; you like to slowly get to the person first before you are fully comfortable. I imagine

that students are the same way when it comes to their teachers. On the first day of class, they do

not want to share much because they might be uncomfortable. I want to make sure that I can

make my students comfortable with me so that they can achieve better success within my

classroom. Cornell Thomas writes that to better empower students to engage in the learning

process, we must get to know them on a personal level, not just knowledge of the student’s

general culture (125). I intend to this by asking them to write about themselves and what they

have gone through prior to my class. I also intend to make sure that I know what their

environment around the school is like, I will do this by shopping at any of the nearby shopping
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centers that there might be. If the students are more comfortable, they will be less afraid to ask

questions when they need help.

Providing Equity

I understand that some of my students will be comfortable in my class but still not getting

the coursework that I am providing them. Therefore, I will hold after-school tutoring sessions for

those students that do not understand a certain subject or if they just want to get better at any of

the subjects. “Studies by the National Center for Developmental Education have found that

tutoring had a positive impact on final course grades, course completion rates, and student

attitudes toward instruction” (Hodges 2). Having after-school tutoring sessions will make

students more comfortable with asking me questions and with making them more comfortable

with the content being taught. If I can make sure that all my students are being taught by their

own personal learning style, then I will have a better chance of providing my students equity. I

do not believe that all students learn the same, some will need tutoring, some will need hands-on

activities; and it us to me as the classroom teacher to provide that.

Encourage Participation

Many students who are struggling today, do not like to ask for help because they are

embarrassed or scared to be wrong. Knowing this, I will encourage my students to all respond at

once so that no one feels like they are put on the spot. Studies show that giving response cards

(RH) to students, are more likely to participate in the class discussion. “. . .the effects of using

RH on student participation and academic achievement in general education . . .student

participation and quiz scores were higher . . .” (Schuster 148).


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The Purpose of Schooling

School is meant to be an environment that nourishes and enhances students’

talents. By giving my students the opportunity to challenge their talents and show them that they

are capable of so much more, I will be able to help them become the person that they want to be

when they get older. By using their funds of knowledge, I will be able to make my students more

engaged in school and make it more applicable to their life. I also plan on doing this by using

Project-Based Learning. Not only will my students be comfortable with me as a teacher, but they

will also be comfortable with me as a fellow human being. School is the place where students

learn how to respect their age mates and authority. By showing that adults care about the world

they live in (through project-based learning), students will lean towards respecting adults who

respect them.

Overall, my mission as a teacher is to encourage the students in my class to always try

their best. I hope to nourish this thought by having after-school tutoring sessions and allowing

myself to get to know them better, then I will. If nothing else, I hope they are at least a little bit

more comfortable in their work and participating in their classes.


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References

Christle, C., & Schuster, J. (2003). The Effects of Using Response Cards on Student

Participation, Academic Achievement, and On-Task Behavior During Whole-Class, Math

Instruction. Journal of Behavioral Education, 12(3), 147-165. Retrieved from

http://0www.jstor.org.torofind.csudh.edu/stable/41824304

Hodges, R., & White, W. (2001). Encouraging High-Risk Student Participation in Tutoring and

Supplemental Instruction. Journal of Developmental Education, 24(3), 2-43. Retrieved

from http://0-www.jstor.org.torofind.csudh.edu/stable/42775829

Thomas, C. (2003). A Culture of Success. Journal of Thought, 38(4), 123-132. Retrieved from

http://0-www.jstor.org.torofind.csudh.edu/stable/42589767

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