My Teaching Philosophy
My teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that all students are capable of learning and thriving when they feel safe, seen, and supported. My goal as an educator is to create a classroom environment that fosters curiosity, creativity, and community for my students to develop social, life, and academic skills that they will carry with them throughout life. I aim to create opportunities for my students that are meaningful academically, socially, and emotionally. I use engaging, hands-on strategies that are student centered in order to meet students where they are developmentally and to support different learning styles. I also believe in building students confidence by giving them opportunities to think critically, share their thinking, and have meaningful conversations. My role as an educator is to guide and support my students so they grow into kind, capable, and curious learners.
Hands-On Learning
I strive to teach with the philosophy in mind: “If I hear, I forget. If I see, I remember. If I do, I understand.” I believe that when students are actively involved in their own learning, they are able to make meaningful and lasting connections to the material. Hands-on learning empowers students to engage deeply with academic concepts and provides them with the opportunity to turn abstract concepts into tangible experiences. It also allows me to observe their understanding in real time and provide targeted supports as needed. Not only does hands-on learning help build academic skills, but also allows students to develop critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills as tools for lifelong learning.
Building Positive Classroom Community
Along with giving students the opportunity to take ownership of their academic learning, I believe that they should also have a key voice in shaping a positive classroom culture built on co-constructed norms. My goal as an educator is to teach students to be kind, caring individuals that have a strong foundation of healthy social skills, starting at a young age. I strive to create a safe and inclusive environment where students feel empowered to be role models, advocate for themselves, and stand up for others. This past year, my students worked to uphold the values of being “RAD” (Respectful, Accountable, and Demonstrating empathy) as part of our schools PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) program. Through this commitment to being “RAD,” students learned to reflect on personal choices, navigate challenging social situations, and support each other in making positive decisions.
Opportunities for Talk
Maintaining a student centered classroom is extremely important to me, as I believe in the power of fostering not only strong and confident scholars, but also well-rounded individuals. I want my students to be able to develop the ability to actively listen, consider different perspectives, engage in respectful conversations, agree and disagree with ideas and not people, and revise and refine their thinking. In my classroom, I intentionally create opportunities for students to share their thoughts, ideas, and experiences. Whether during academic discussions, peer collaboration, or classroom circles, student talk has proven to be a powerful tool for learning in my classroom. Talk has allowed me to gain insight into my students understanding and gives them the chance to learn from each other, build empathy, and learn effective communication skills.
My Philosophy in Action
