Philosophy of Education
By: Nicole Jenkins
I believe that it is my responsibility as a teacher to provide a safe and inspiring classroom environment where all students are valued and encouraged to grow as individuals. Students should take an active role in their learning and be encouraged to take risks. Classroom material should be related to everyday life whenever possible so that students are able to make connections and find meaning in their learning.
I recognize that every classroom is unique, made up of students of different backgrounds, learning styles and abilities. As a teacher, I feel it is important to incorporate a multi-sensory approach to benefit all learning styles as well as differentiate instruction to meet individual needs. I believe that in order for children to grow and succeed intellectually, socially, and emotionally, teachers must acknowledge the challenges each student faces as well as the contributions they have to offer. The teacher must hold high, yet realistic expectations for all students in order to help them to meet their potential and gain confidence in themselves.
I feel that cooperative learning environments maximize learning by increasing engagement and teaching students how to work together with their peers. Through hands-on activities, students become involved in the learning process, reach higher levels of thinking, and learn to use problem-solving skills. Whole group instruction, individual conferencing, as well as partner work should also be incorporated into the day in order to effectively teach the curriculum and provide multiple methods for assessment.
A teacher’s preparedness and willingness to adapt lessons to the needs and interests of the students is crucial. Lessons should be well thought out and innovative to ensure meaningful learning. Classroom routines need to be established from the beginning of the year to give students a sense of ownership, give them comfort in taking risks, and help them to become self-directed learners. The classroom atmosphere also plays a role in the learning process, and needs to be aesthetically welcoming and serve as a functional learning environment.
It is critical to establish open communication between the school and home so that parents are actively involved in their child’s learning. This will help both teachers and parents to understand students’ behaviors and achievements and more importantly, know how best to support students. An effective teacher collaborates with colleagues and utilizes resources in the community.
It is my goal as a teacher to inspire students to learn and grow as individuals. I hope to provide students with the tools they need to succeed in the world beyond the classroom. I aspire to encourage a love for learning while also helping students develop into respectful, honest citizens.