Educational Philosophy
Education is the foundation of every field in the world. Without education, there would be no one to do those jobs our world could not live without. Most jobs require a certain level of literacy skills; the applicant is able to read and write, add and subtract, and be able to socialize in a civil manner. It is the job of the educator to ensure these abilities in all students.
I believe a great educator has certain knowledge about children so she can be an effective teacher for our future. She must understand that children have different styles of learning that need to be addressed during each lesson. Great educators can make a history lesson incorporate math, science, art, and language because students retain and relate more information when it is taught across the curriculum. Children go through changes in all areas: physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. Each of these must be nurtured and cared for with understanding and respect. Every classroom is made up of individuals with different backgrounds and they should feel free to express their individualities. Teachers should capitalize on the diversity of their students and share the uniqueness of every child, instead of using it against them. The technology field has become intertwined in our daily lives. An educator must be able to provide students with experiences in technology in preparation for the future positions they will hold.
Educators must be equipped with certain skills to handle the different areas of the classroom. To manage a classroom, it is imperative that patience and dedication be two virtues a teacher learns to possess. It is also very important that the educator be able to handle the classroom while working one-on-one with a student. I believe the educator must be creative to enhance the creativity of her students. Most of all, a great educator must provide a safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate environment in which all students feel welcome.
Different strategies should be used in the classroom to address the diversity of the classroom. Instead of lecturing on topics, I plan brain-based learning experiments and activities so that learning is interesting and fun. I also believe children learn a great deal from their peers, so my classroom is designed for cooperative learning by having students in groups or pairs during assignments and projects to strengthen not only their cognitive ability, but also their social skills. Children benefit from being actively engaged in a safe environment where learning through exploration, trial and error, and repetition occur.
The foundation of a child's progress is the support system through the parent(s) and teacher. Children thrive in all areas when the parent/teacher team is cheering for them and reinforcing their positive behaviors. Students need their "team" to work together to ensure further development of the child. I work well with the parents in my classroom by keeping them involved in my classroom activities and updated about the progress of their children.
It is imperative that teachers model the behavior they want to see in their students. I see many teachers "talk the talk", but do not "walk the walk". My students are treated the way I want my own child to be treated. My lessons are designed to address and engage all of my students. I have taken on several leadership roles in my school and have made great strides in furthering my own education. I speak to my students about my activities outside of my classroom so they know their teacher values this profession. I pray this will encourage and inspire my students to do the same in their future.
I could not ask for a more complex or important field of work. This job is by far, the most crucial for the preparation of our future. Without the enthusiasm and dedication of teachers, our future would have limited means. Education prepares individuals for a lifetime of success and support, and I love being a part of it!
