Philosophy of Teaching:
Over the past year, I have had the opportunity to cultivate a solid teaching philosophy. However, rather than one singular idea, this philosophy encompasses a variety of different ideas regarding the education profession. Therefore, I have outlined five rules by which I must live by in order to be a successful teacher. In these five rules are my convictions about my students, my peers and the general educational environment. I have written this section in such a way as to be a reminder to me about what I truly believe to be the most important aspects of teaching.
My philosophy of teaching focuses on each individual child and his/her educational needs, the teaching strategies to help the child achieve his/her highest potential, the development of positive character traits which are essential in becoming a productive citizen in today's society, and parental involvement in their child's mental, physical and emotional development.
The most important concept that I try to recognize is the uniqueness of each individual child with his or her unique educational needs. I try to become aware of the strengths and weaknesses of each student through continuous assessments and observations. Once the strengths are identified, they are challenged and the weaknesses are nurtured. To meet these challenges I must be assertive and creative in order to motivate the students and have a sense of understanding of the difficult challenges faced by today's youth. I accept the challenges of being a parent, a counselor, a friend and a confidant to these children with whom I share their educational endeavors.
In today's diverse society, a teacher must be aware and sensitive to the multicultural differences in order to better understand and encourage the individual child to achieve to his/her highest potential. Several important methods by which I am able to facilitate learning for each individual student are by applying new concepts to past experiences, which in turn makes these new concepts more meaningful to the student and teaching them the necessary strategies so that they might be able to apply them to everyday problem solving solutions.
Students receive direct instruction followed by some guided instruction until they become independent learners. To accomplish these goals, I use technology, multi-tasking, working in cooperative groups and the usage of manipulatives to help students become strategic learners. With my daily instruction, I also try to make these new concepts relevant to the future.
In the teaching of citizenship and character traits, I strive to help each child learn to share the