My Teaching Philosophy
Based on 3 Principles:
1. Perpetuate Curiosity
2. Hear and See Each Student as an Individual
3. Teach beyond the Curriculum
Perpetuate Curiosity
"The Important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing."
-Albert Einstein
As an educator, my goal is to instill and highlight the importance of continuing to ask "why?". By asking "why", students are able to determine what sparks their interest, as well as, grow a deeper understanding on the given topic. In my classroom this has been done by Post-it jots, turn and talks between peers, as well as designating time for each child to reflect back on their work. Children learn best when they find meaning on their own through exploration. Having the chance to reflect on their work promotes critical thinking and the skill to edit their work as well.
Not only is it vital for my students to continuously question and wonder, but as their teacher I must ask the "why" as well. I continuously ask why in respect to my lessons to ensure that the content I'm teaching has a purpose. Also, by asking why, and remaining curious, I too can learn from my students and better understand their behaviors and perception of the topic at hand.
Hear and See Each Student as an Individual
"Every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them."
-Rita Pierson
When thinking about the students that I've had the chance to work with, and the ones that I will teach in the future, it is inevitable for there to be a range of learners and abilities. I truly believe that every child is able, if provided the proper guidance, instruction, and support. Whatever goal the student has in place, whether it is academic, social or emotional, as an educator it's my job to keep an optimistic mindset as we work together towards achieving these goals. Even though there is a set curriculum, each child grasps concepts in a different way. On top of individualized learning abilities, students bring their prior knowledge and own experiences into the classroom. Keeping this in mind, it has been a personal goal of mine to truly get to know each of my students, and cater to their potential weaknesses and highlight their strengths.
Each child deserves to feel comfortable in order to safely take risks, ask questions, as well as, feel appreciated as a valued member of the classroom community.
Teach Beyond the Curriculum
"Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education."
- Martin Luther King Jr.
As I somewhat mentioned above, my goal for my classroom is to form a welcoming, comfortable and safe classroom community. While academics are a central role in the classroom, there are many other valuable lessons to learn as well. For me, character education is as vital, if not more, as academics in the classroom. The six pillars of character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship, as well Friendship, Leadership, Curiosity, and Grit, play a critical role in many aspects of my classroom's daily routine. I try to take advantage of any teachable moment, through morning meetings and mini lessons, to engage my students and help them comprehend the importance of each trait.
In addition to Character Education, I have found great value in the power of "yet", Carol Dweck's Growth Mindset. This mentality plays an important role in my teaching philosophy, as I have encouraged my students to view each obstacle as something they're moving towards overcoming. Through my guidance, I hope my students have learned to problem solve and view each victory, no matter the size, as a success.
Finally, mindfulness and body awareness has become a major focus in my classroom as well. Through daily "mindful thoughts" and activities, I provide my students with skills they can utilize throughout the rest of their life. By incorporating discussions on being grateful, and emphasizing awareness of one's thoughts, students learn the power of breathing and staying centered and grounded.
By spending as much time on character trait development, growth mindset and mindfulness, as I do on regular academics, my goal is to educate the "whole child".
