PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

            Over the past few months I have developed a deeper understanding of what I want to achieve as a teacher and what I want the students who are in my classroom to gain as a student.  Just a few months ago it would have been impossible for me to be able to process a philosophy that I have regarding the way I want to teach.  I have come to the realization that within my attempt to balance learning and different ways to make each lesson fun, I have created my philosophy towards education. 

            Teachers have an incredibly important role in their students’ lives and can greatly influence how much exposure to the curriculum the students will receive.  A teacher must create a cohesive learning environment that blends the various learning styles that will be brought into the classroom.  It is important for students feel comfortable in the classroom they will be spending their year learning in.  The classroom is not only the teacher’s classroom; it belongs to the students as well.  In order to create an enriching learning environment for students, the students need to feel that they have a voice in the class and should make the classroom a place they feel comfortable being in.  Beginning with the classroom setting the students can begin their journey to discovering that learning is a cooperative process that can be flexible and open to change. 

            Education is greatly influenced by the curriculum and the standards that the students are being expected to know.  With the curriculum that teachers have to teach it is difficult to find time for creativity.  In order to create well rounded students it is important to make sure that creativity is not lost in the classroom.  Teachers are pressured to make sure that the students are going to do well on tests and be adequately prepared to move on to the following grade.  Teachers have a larger responsibility than basic curriculum.  Teachers have an ever growing responsibility to teach life skills that will not only help them work better as a group of students in the classroom, but be able to take the lessons with them long after they have left school and are in their everyday life.  Teachers can begin by giving students choices, or a say in how they can express themselves. 

            I believe that my role as a teacher is to be a mentor to students and help them realize their potential as a student and give them the tools to be a successful learner.  I look forward to facilitating an education that is both enriching in curriculum and allows the students the freedom to be creative, explore and have fun while learning.  I want to begin this by creating a comfortable learning environment that students can learn to their fullest potential.  As a teacher it is my responsibility to create activities and lessons that aid in their understanding and targets the learning styles of the students in my class.  In order to do this, I want to teach lessons that accommodate many different learning styles and find ways to allow students to bring their input.  The lessons that they learn in the classroom should transcend beyond school and act as a tool for the real world. 

            Behavior is part of the classroom dynamic that can have a positive or negative impact on the structure and function of the class.  It is important for there to be boundaries.  I think it is appropriate to have high expectations of the students.  Giving students choices has to be balanced with the expectation that they can handle it.  It is a students job to work hard, participate, have respect for those how are in the class and make an effort.  A teacher’s job is to make sure that students are able to do all the things that are expected of the students.  Having a good rapport with the students can keep that balance and can create a level of respect for one another so that everyone can be successful at their job.