Teaching Philosophy
As a future educator of young children and children with special needs, I have certain beliefs on how what education is and how it should be addressed. I believe that education is a life long journey. A journey that I would like to be a part of for many children. My desire is to set the foundation that learning can be enjoyable and not a chore. With this in mind there is a set of ideals that I have for my future classroom. My classroom teachings will be based on developmentally appropriate practices, my role as the teacher and professionalism. Adding in discipline that is also appropriate, assessments, and working with the families and community will round out my ideals.
Initially, in order to be an effective teacher for my students, I will have to get to know each of them. All students are different and all students learn differently as well. Once getting to know the students and their learning styles, applying the knowledge that I have of DAP's, developmentally appropriate practice, will help them be successful. DAP's have taught me how children develop and learn; that one area of learning is interconnected to another area of learning. In other words, when one area is ignited with a desire another area will also be. My ultimate role as a teacher will be to apply the best practice for teaching young children based on their developmental levels and providing multiple modes for learning.
I feel that young children learn best through play, which is also one of the DAP's. A style of classroom that exudes this philosophy is Reggio Emilia. This philosophy bases learning through play and also that children can construct their own learning environments. The lab preschool in the EHS building on CMU's campus is a great example of this philosophy. While observing there I have seen children working on projects for many days where they do not have to tear down towers or put things "away" at the end of the day. Artwork is displayed for all to see and be proud of. I want these ideas to be a part of my future classrooms as well.
The Montessori classroom also has ideas that I can see implementing in my classroom as well. Although I do not feel that I could be a true Montessori teacher, I do like some of the characteristics. By having real materials for the children to experiment with such as kitchen, doctor, or building materials I can be teaching real life application and skills to be used later in life. Having all of these materials organized in a fashion that is neat and accessible is also appealing to me as it helps to promote a safe and healthy classroom. Although the Montessori way of teaching does not allow for "play", adopting some of the ideas to be used in my classroom will be beneficial.
Discipline will be an important factor in my classroom. By establishing rules and routines in the beginning of the year I hope to eliminate most behavior problems. The classroom expectations will be addressed from day one with short and clear direction. I plan on going over them many times so that there is no confusion and the entire class is clear about what is expected. Using language such as, "I expect" instead of just saying these are the rules will also help the children understand that misbehavior will not be accepted. If I ever need to use "discipline", I hope that it would be in the manner of redirection and clarification with the student about what is expected. I do not feel that time outs are very effective and I do not feel that making the misbehavior the center of attention will also correct the behavior. I do however, feel and believe that always expecting positive and healthy behavior and setting my classroom up from the beginning for that will go a long way. From time to time occurrences may arise and I hope to have the ability to refer the children back to the classroom expectations and have them learn from their mistakes and move forward positively.
In my classroom I know that I will have a variety of diverse learners. There may be students that excel easily and without little direction and there may be students that need a little extra time. I feel that all of this falls back on the DAP's that state that "children demonstrate different modes of knowing and learning and different ways of representing what they know" as well as that "children develop and learn best when they are safe and valued, when their physical needs are met and they feel psychologically secure". I plan on having many opportunities for the children to practice new material as well as review of previously presented material as well. Presenting material in different modes and giving children different choices for assessment of this material is also my role as an effective teacher.
Assessing the progress of students is a daily aspect of the teaching of young children. I would like to have assessments built into everyday lessons so that they are routine to the children in my classes. Assessments can be done in a multitude of fashions, and can be short and sweet or lengthy. I have learned that children demonstrate what they know in many different ways, so when planning assessments I need to keep this in mind. Planning creative and different ways for the children to display or produce what they have learned will be my role as an effective teacher.
Along with working with students I will also have the opportunity to work with parents and the community. First and foremost on my agenda will be to set up a climate in which all parents, guardians, and caregivers of the children in my classroom feel welcome in the class at any time. I want there to be open dialogues between these adults and myself, so that should a situation ever arise I can be of assistance to them. To accomplish this I will do my best to always send home notes to let the caregivers know what is going on in the classroom as well as where I could potentially use some assistance if they would so be inclined to help. I hope that by doing these things that the parents will feel comfortable to come to me with any situation and know that I will do my best as an educator to help them.
In the community I hope to be a positive role model for students and families. To build a sense of community I hope to have every class I teach have some sort of community outreach project, no matter how great or how small. But, by doing this, I hope to teach community spirit to my students as well as be an asset to the community in which I live in. I know that to achieve this goal I will have to work very hard. I am up to the challenge!
When it comes to professionalism and ethics within the profession I plan to respect al of my fellow colleagues, parents, students, and those within the community in which I live and teach. I will demonstrate this respect by always being honest and showing my appreciation and gratitude to all of these people in my life and by building healthy relationships with all of them as well. I think this attitude is great to have even outside of the teaching profession, as it sets you up for a healthy lifestyle.
When I first decided to pursue a career in education I didn't know exactly what it meant other than to be a teacher. There is so much more than just standing in front of a class, presenting material, and testing. Over the course of my education, which is by far not finished, I have learned that there is so much more to it. To be a great teacher I will need to always want to learn more. I will need to instill that desire into my students also so that they have the drive to move forward and become success members in society.
I have the beliefs and ideals about education and how I want things to be in my classroom because of what I have learned and also because I also had some highly effective teachers as well. I believe that all children can be successful and I also believe that it is my role as a teacher to help them with the tools and knowledge to become everything that they want and can become.
I will be learning just as much as the children will be learning from me. And in that idea, I feel very excited about having the opportunity to touch so many lives. I once heard the quote, ''The object of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives." -Robert Maynard Hutchins, and I sincerely believe in it. I will be working with diverse learners, colleagues, members of the community and the list can go on and on. All of the people that I come in contact will be able to teach me something and I may have the chance to teach them as well. What a great society we can all live in when we strive to teach each other!