Professional Documents
Culture Documents
My Philosophy
Ashly Gutierrez
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
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
MY PHILOSPHY Gutierrez 3
centers that there might be. If the students are more comfortable, they will be less afraid to ask
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
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
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.
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
References
Christle, C., & Schuster, J. (2003). The Effects of Using Response Cards on Student
http://0www.jstor.org.torofind.csudh.edu/stable/41824304
Hodges, R., & White, W. (2001). Encouraging High-Risk Student Participation in Tutoring and
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