Teaching Philosophy
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INTRODUCTION
During the Fall of 2015, I took a course titled EDUC 741: Improvement in Reading. We were asked to write a first person account on how we became a literate person. This assignment required me to be a reflective teacher and to really think about how I came to not only learn how to read and write, but also how I found my passion for reading and writing. I felt it was also important to not only disucss my teaching career and how I have grown as an educator, but to also share my teaching philosophy. A teaching philosophy, according to Cornell University, "is a narrative that includes: your conception of teaching and learning. a description of how you teach. justification for why you teach that way." A teaching philosophy can be a very powerful reflection tool for educators, as this narrative is essentially a description and a justification of a teacher's teaching style. "Teaching philosophies," states the Cornell Graduate School, "Convey your teaching values, beliefs, and goals to a broader audience." I wrote the following teaching philosophy during my first year of college, and ever since then I have been adding more and more thoughts about my views on education.
"Teaching Philosophy Statement." "Teaching Philosophy Statement | Graduate School." <i>Teaching Philosophy Statement | Graduate School</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2015.. Cornell University Graduate School, n.d. Web. 3 Nov. 2015. <http://gradschool.cornell.edu/career-services/teaching-philosophy-statement>.
STANDARDS
WI Teacher Standards:
Standard 4: Teachers know how to teach
Standard 6: Teachers communicate well
Standard 9: Teachers are able to evaluate themselves.
Standard 10: Teachers are connected with other teachers and the community.
IRA Standards:
IRA Standard 6: Professional Learning and Leadership - Candidates recognize the importance of, demonstrate, and facilitate professional learning and leadership as a career-long effort and responsibility.
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REFLECTION
During the Fall of 2015, I took a course titled EDUC 741: Improvement in Reading. We were asked to write a first person account on how we became a literate person. This assignment required me to be a reflective teacher and to really think about how I came to not only learn how to read and write, but also how I found my passion for reading and writing. I felt it was also important to not only disucss my teaching career and how I have grown as an educator, but to also share my teaching phil
I have been interested in education since I was in elementary school. I was born into a family of educators, with both my mother and father as employees of my hometown district. I have known my whole life that I wanted to be a teacher, and I love taking on the responsibility of educating the youth of this country. I learned very quickly that I had a genuine passion for working with children, and I love the happiness children possess.
Over the years I have watched myself grow into an adult educator: one who loves and supports students through triumphs and tribulations; one who shows children the joys of learning and opens new doors to exciting new places. I believe my natural talent as a teacher has allowed me to build successful, enduring relationships with my students and has contributed to my success as an educator.
As a lifelong learner, I enjoy seeing my students work cooperatively, creatively and passionately. Through hard work and patience, I can show my students what they are truly capable of, often astounding not only me but themselves! I believe that all children are able to learn in an environment that feels safe to them. This environment must have consistent rules and high expectations, and I take the responsibility of running a classroom seriously. I choose to run my classroom based on a mixture of two discipline formats: the first being Love and Logic and the second being Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. With expectations clearly established, my students are free to learn and explore.
My journey as a teacher has led me to all sorts of experiences. From working with at-risk youth, to students with disabilities, and even working with two- and three-year-olds, I find nearly all meetings with a child to be positive and worthwhile. My goal as an educator is to never cease learning and to be the type of person who can ignite a passion for learning in all of my students as well.
"To teach is to touch
a life forever."
