Teaching Philosophy 1

Maria Gutierrez

The University of Texas at El Paso

Teaching Philosophy

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Teaching Philosophy

Teachers play a very important role in the future of society. Not only are they the ones

who guide and facilitate the learning process of the students, but they are responsible for making

sure that the student is receiving the materials in a suitable way and adapted to the 21st century

needs. My teaching philosophy is characterized by showing the importance of my content area

while promoting good class environment, technology, parental involving, feedback and

collaboration.

I’ve lived in the El Paso and Ciudad Juarez border and have experienced education first-

hand in both cities. The different teaching styles in both countries, have helped me see the impact

education can have in the lives of children and society itself. The curriculum is changing every

year as different technology and content are introduced into the classrooms. It’s not only about

acquiring knowledge now, but being able to apply it in our everyday life and make connections

to things that are happening around us. It is also important for the teacher to understand the

diversity that is taking place in the country, and how every student inside the classroom should

feel welcomed and with the same high expectations as other students.

My goals as an aspiring educator are to be able to act as a facilitator and contribute in a

student’s learning process. I would like for students to know that learning about different

material can be fun and relatable to things they like. I strive to produce lessons that would have

an impact on the students, to which they can relate back to a certain activity they did in class to

remember the concepts. The use of anchored instruction through case-based approaches inside

the classroom can provide critical thinking based decisions. According to Bransford, the use of
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this learning theory helps students see the effects of decision making (1990). I also strive to

become a role model whom the student can rely on during their education path. Be able to be a

lifelong learner alongside students by learning from mistakes and successes with the result of

becoming a better educator for future generations.

My goal as a teacher is not only to meet the learning standards, but to go beyond the

standards. Creating a class environment in which the student can feel comfortable to express

their ideas and learn through different strategies and methods alongside their other classmates,

using different tools and adapting to 21st century learning. Cain & Laird discuss a strategy that

best exemplifies this is which is the use of collaborative groups, which will help develop

frequent, small-group, purposeful about learning (2011, p.51). The student who feels a sense of

belonging in the class is able to ask, collaborate and learn together with their other peers.

Therefore, I believe in a classroom where respect, honesty, and communication are

present. Respect among each other, for personal opinions, beliefs, and for classmates and their

different abilities to learn.

It is very important to make a space where the rules and objectives are created by the

students and the teacher. My expectations will always be high as everyone has the potential to be

what they want to be, there is no such thing as failures. A good class management will be

adapted for different student roles allowing all students to contribute in the class, and be able to

feel a sense of belonging in their school community. The inclusion of diversity and culture is

important so that the student can identify with the lessons and different types of activities. No

type of bullying, criticism, or behavior would be tolerated in the class, as everyone will help each

other.
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Teaching is improved everyday by the help from colleagues, administration, parents, and

students themselves. Colleagues can contribute to enhancing teaching by providing their past

experiences, or even lessons they’ve used and have left an impact on students. DuFour’s (2004)

suggests the use of professional learning communities which help in collaboration, learning,

school improving, and removing barriers for success. Being able to contribute with one another

can help promote or develop new techniques inside the classroom, such as cross curriculum

projects. Making connections between different subjects can engage students into deeper

understanding of the material. Collegial relationships inside and outside the school community

benefit not only the students, but the whole school faculty by promoting school pride and

showing an example of collaboration to students.

Parental feedback is essential, as nobody knows the students like their own parents.

Being aware of what is happening at home, or difficulties students may have that can affect

learning are some of the things that teachers need to be aware of in order to provide

accommodations. Being able to keep good communication between parents, helps in the students

learning. Teachers and parents, need to work as a team to understand the students’ needs and

keep up with students’ contributions, success, and grades in the classroom through meetings,

phone calls or involvement in activities.

Last, but most important, know what students like or do not like. Students are the ones

who are affected by our teaching, therefore being able to listen and observe if they were engaged,

or they enjoyed a lesson, can improve their learning. If students are having a hard time engaging,

making connections, or understanding the material it means the approach may not be the best for

them and we must address it immediately. Students are teaching educators what they need to
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know, and what ways help with retaining information whenever students understand the lesson

or they don’t. Students are now part of an era of technology on which it should be integrated in

every lesson plan, this includes the usage of software, databases and even portals for school

communication.

My observations inside high school classrooms have helped me develop and learn

different techniques to engage students. I have learned that there is always a reason behind every

student’s behavior, and communication is a long way to help them. Teachers who ask students

the way they feel about what they are teaching them, will always get feedback on what the

students are gaining from their lessons. I’ve experienced that those who teach with passion and

happiness in their content radiate that energy toward their students, who will work with as much

enthusiasm as which the lesson was taught.

Lastly, I would like to implement the “Fundamental Five” by Cain & Laird (2011) in my

classroom. Being able to frame the lesson, work the power zone, integrate writing critically,

recognize and reinforce and use frequent/purposeful small group talk, are concepts that help

shape the way students are learning. The fundamental five will serve me as a guide on some of

the important practices that make run a classroom effectively. The importance of how the teacher

manages how they move within the class when students are working, the amount of discussion

and writing that is happening, and being able to compose proper lesson plans should be a

requirement to follow every day. There are concepts that I truly believe in that I have gathered

per my observations in classrooms, and know that teachers who use it run a better classroom and

have a better performance.

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All students should be able to leave school, with new concepts that they can actually

apply outside of the classroom. Equip students with the necessary tools to go out into the world

and exceed the standards. As a teacher, I feel like it is more than a profession. It is a gift not

everyone has, to be able to contribute to the future in a way such as helping students achieve

their academic and personal goals.

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References

Bransford, J.D., Sherwood, R.D., Hasselbring, T.S., Kinzer, C.K.,& Williams, S. M. (1990).
Anchored Instruction: Why we need it and how technology can help. Cognition, Education, and
Multimedia: Exploring Ideas in High Technology, (p.124).

Cain, S., & Laird, M. (2011). The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction. Place of
publication not identified: Publisher not identified.

DuFour, R. (2004, May). What is a Professional Learning Community? Retrieved from

http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/may04/vol61/num08/What-Is-a-
Professional-Learning-Community%C2%A2.aspx