Philosophy of Teaching and Learning
I believe that everyone has the right and the ability to learn. A teacher’s role is not only to guide and facilitate learning, but also to provide a learning environment in which all students feel comfortable and safe, while creating a strong sense of community among students. When students feel safe, they are more likely to take risks and try new things and explore, which I believe is when the magic happens and learning takes place! (Exploration is a must in kindergarten!) I feel that teachers must take the time to get to know each student and differentiate instruction according to each student’s individual needs. It is essential that teachers meet students where they are and provide many opportunities for students to meet their goals and to have success. It is my goal for all my students to develop a sense of self as well as to develop a love of knowledge and learning.
I believe that teachers are not just in the education business. We are also in the relationship business. In my classroom, students feel loved and nurtured each day. They know they can count on me to be consistent, that I will love them every day, and that I will always do what I say I am going to do. I work very hard to earn the trust of my students. I also do a wide variety of community building activities with my students. Because I teach kindergarten, our community building often includes learning basic social skills. I teach my students strategies for problem solving, how to have conversations with other people, manners, and other basic skills to help them function in our safe learning environment and out in the real world. Children in my classroom are regularly engaged in critical thinking and they often ask questions. My students learn that questions are always welcome and that asking questions is only going to enhance learning. They also learn that it is okay to make mistakes, because sometimes that is how we learn best. Frequently, we practice being reflective and looking at situations to determine what we could have changed to make something better or the outcome different.
No two students are alike, so no two students learn in exactly the same way at the same rate. Differentiation is evident in my classroom. Students are asked to complete tasks that are challenging, but I never want a child to become overwhelmed. I do not believe in cookie cutter projects and I like the variety in student work when they are given the opportunity to be creative and work at their own level. I spend one on one and small group time with all students at least 3 times per week and I see students who have higher needs on a daily basis. Because I am always doing spot checks and informal assessments on my students, I find that I can pinpoint which skills or materials to work on with each child. Students also play an active role in setting goals for their own learning. That takes the responsibility from my shoulders and gives students a sense of pride when they meet their own goals. What a joy for them and for me!
As a teacher and a parent I understand that parents are each child's first teacher, and I respect all that families do to support their child on their learning journey. I know that partnership with families is essential and I enjoy getting to know students and their families each school year. Family involvement is a key component in education and I believe home/school communication is incredibly important for student success.
In order to make certain that learning is taking place, teachers must provide a comfortable learning environment, build a strong community, give students the opportunity to explore, know one’s students and differentiate accordingly, ask and invite questions, partner with families, help students achieve their goals, be consistent, love the students, and let them be who they are. Children want to learn, and it is a teacher’s job to make sure they do.
“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” --Chinese Proverb
I believe that teachers are not just in the education business. We are also in the relationship business. In my classroom, students feel loved and nurtured each day. They know they can count on me to be consistent, that I will love them every day, and that I will always do what I say I am going to do. I work very hard to earn the trust of my students. I also do a wide variety of community building activities with my students. Because I teach kindergarten, our community building often includes learning basic social skills. I teach my students strategies for problem solving, how to have conversations with other people, manners, and other basic skills to help them function in our safe learning environment and out in the real world. Children in my classroom are regularly engaged in critical thinking and they often ask questions. My students learn that questions are always welcome and that asking questions is only going to enhance learning. They also learn that it is okay to make mistakes, because sometimes that is how we learn best. Frequently, we practice being reflective and looking at situations to determine what we could have changed to make something better or the outcome different.
No two students are alike, so no two students learn in exactly the same way at the same rate. Differentiation is evident in my classroom. Students are asked to complete tasks that are challenging, but I never want a child to become overwhelmed. I do not believe in cookie cutter projects and I like the variety in student work when they are given the opportunity to be creative and work at their own level. I spend one on one and small group time with all students at least 3 times per week and I see students who have higher needs on a daily basis. Because I am always doing spot checks and informal assessments on my students, I find that I can pinpoint which skills or materials to work on with each child. Students also play an active role in setting goals for their own learning. That takes the responsibility from my shoulders and gives students a sense of pride when they meet their own goals. What a joy for them and for me!
As a teacher and a parent I understand that parents are each child's first teacher, and I respect all that families do to support their child on their learning journey. I know that partnership with families is essential and I enjoy getting to know students and their families each school year. Family involvement is a key component in education and I believe home/school communication is incredibly important for student success.
In order to make certain that learning is taking place, teachers must provide a comfortable learning environment, build a strong community, give students the opportunity to explore, know one’s students and differentiate accordingly, ask and invite questions, partner with families, help students achieve their goals, be consistent, love the students, and let them be who they are. Children want to learn, and it is a teacher’s job to make sure they do.
“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” --Chinese Proverb