Why do I want my students to learn?
I believe that at the heart of every student lies a curiosity waiting to be ignited. Whether it's uncovering the mysteries of mathematics or exploring the complexities of literature, my students crave understanding and connection. They yearn to make sense of the world around them, and it's my role as an educator to nurture and channel that innate curiosity into a lifelong passion for learning. To fuel this fire, I craft learning experiences that transcend the confines of the classroom and empower students to make a meaningful impact on the world around them. It's essential to avoid teaching through a deficit mindset, recognizing and celebrating each student's strengths and contributions.
How do I see them as learners?
Central to my teaching philosophy is the conviction that education should not only enrich the mind but also enrich the world. I view my students not as empty vessels waiting to be filled with knowledge, but as active participants in their own education. I design opportunities for students to tackle big ideas and real-world problems that resonate with them personally. Some may thrive in collaborative settings, while others prefer solitary exploration. By recognizing and respecting their individuality, I create a learning environment that celebrates diversity and empowers every student to reach their full potential.I believe that each student has something special to offer in their learning, and it's my job to encourage them to express themselves and accept themselves, while embracing the differences in others.
What do I hope to accomplish when I teach?
I strive to cultivate in my students the ability to envision a better world. Through reflective practices and conscious inquiry, I encourage them to challenge the status quo and imagine possibilities beyond what they have previously considered. I aim to nurture their voices and instill in them the belief that they have the power to enact meaningful change. Through these endeavors, students not only deepen their understanding of the subject matter but also develop the skills and empathy needed to effect positive change in their communities. I aim to motivate my students to think creatively, foster curiosity, critical thinking skills, and a growth mindset. Beyond mastering content knowledge, I aspire to instill in them the confidence and resilience to tackle any challenge they encounter. I want them to leave my classroom not only equipped with the tools they need to succeed academically but also with a deep-seated belief in their own capacity to learn and grow in every facet of their lives.
How do I view the learning environment and the subjects taught?
I see the classroom as a dynamic ecosystem where knowledge is co-created through collaboration, exploration, and inquiry. It's a space where students feel safe to take risks, ask questions, and think creatively. From hands-on experiences to spirited discussions, I design lessons that spark curiosity and inspire wonder. Every class has unique learning abilities and needs, my role will be to create engaging and interactive lessons that are inclusive to all such needs. Because elementary students are in their formative years, they are absorbing everything we teach them, it is important to recognize this, and to fill them with constructive and positive tools that will aid them forevermore. I will provide an environment that takes into account each unique learning type and makes the material applicable to the students' everyday life. Our learning journey should always culminate in an exhibition of learning where students showcase their projects to an authentic audience, empowering them to celebrate their growth and success.
While each student is unique and has differing needs, what remains universal is the need for a safe and nurturing environment where they can grow physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially, so as to meet their fullest potential. I believe that each student has something special to offer in their learning and that it is my job to encourage them to express themselves, and more importantly, to accept themselves and embrace the differences in others. My role as a teacher will be to encourage the lifelong learning of my students and to inspire them to feel empowered in their outcomes. I hope to motivate my students to think creatively and to honour their natural curiosity. Every class has its own ecosystem of learning abilities and needs, my role will be to create engaging and interactive lessons that are inclusive to all such needs. Because elementary students are in their formative years, they are absorbing everything we teach them, it is important to recognize this, and to fill them with constructive and positive tools that will aid them forevermore. Ultimately, I am acutely aware that my influence will define the school experience for my students, which will impact them for the rest of their lives. I will work tirelessly to make that experience a positive, nurturing, and loving one. I will provide a curriculum that takes into account each unique learning type and makes the material applicable to the students' everyday life. I will include activities that engage and activate students learning through hands-on learning, cooperative learning, inquiry based projects, and meaningul integration of technology. I look forward to becoming a teacher so that I can make a meaningful difference in the lives of my future students. I have a strong interest for student-centered learning and believe it is crucial to foster lifelong learners. I think education goes beyond the four corners of the classroom. My hope is to support a child's whole development through focused teaching strategies. Students should be provided the opportunity to build self efficacy in the classroom, and I hope to demonstrate the value that each student holds in our society.
Literacy and learning are inextricably linked; one simply cannot exist without the other. I believe in creating an inclusive classroom that supports all students in their literacy journey through differentiation. I will dedicate my practice to literacy instruction which offers students the ability to interact with deep and complex texts, full of rich vocabulary, ones through which they can think critically and inquire. I believe that the development of strong literacy skills are critical to the development of self-motivated, autonomous, learners. It is crucial to target all areas of literacy—phonemic and phonological awareness, vocabulary, comprehension, writing, fluency, and oral language—enriched through systematic and explicit instruction. I value a well-rounded, balanced approach to literacy. It is my goal to honour student’s natural curiosity through varied learning experiences by way of providing diverse and relevant interactive opportunities across all curricula. It is through this understanding that we begin to see the value, gravity, and treasure, that is literature and reading. As I see it, books are like mirrors and windows, they allow us to reflect on our observations and knowledge of the world in which we live. I believe that children need to read and be read to; it is through engagement in reciprocal learning and teaching that I may enable students to become empowered to meet ELA outcomes. This will ultimately allow students to find the joy in, and foster a life-long love of reading.
“On assessment: measure what you value instead of valuing only what you can measure.” -Andy Hargreaves
Much like literacy, foundational concepts of assessment and learning are inextricably linked. When we face this fact, we are equally faced with challenges and opportunities which can hinder or aid our ability to assess students. I have come to understand the trifecta of assessment strategies as being baseline, formative, and summative. Assessment must be in line with the learning objectives, and an instructor should employ backward design. In order to improve student learning and performance, assessment purposes must be carefully evaluated. It shouldn't be limited to assessment of learning in the traditional sense. Instead, an authentic assessment should be linked to assessments both for and as learning. Students will learn how to deal with real-life circumstances as a result of authentic tasks, which provide scaffolding in the form of relevant and timely feedback. Such assessments should aim to be fair, reliable, valid, and authentic. It's vital to carefully plan and create evaluations that will guide and support children as they acquire the knowledge and skills they'll need for their holistic development. Additionally, teachers must explain the standard criteria in the rubrics to students so that they understand what is expected of them. Students should be provided opportunities to excel in class and engage in critical reflection so that they can comprehend, reflect on, and track their own progress. There should be a variety of evaluations so that children with different learning styles can have access to a variety of learning opportunities. It is through this understanding that we begin to see the worth in using balanced assessment practices in the classroom.
As I constantly reflect on my approaches to learning and teaching, I can also reflect upon my teaching philosophy. This semester I have felt a shift towards Inclusivity as being imperative to every sector of education. My philosophy of education is: Although each student is unique and has differing needs, what remains universal is the need for a safe and nurturing environment where they can grow physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially, so as to meet their fullest potential. I understand that each student has something unique to contribute to their learning, and it is my responsibility to inspire them to do so, more importantly, to do so in a positive and mutually respectful way. I believe that ultimately, in order to achieve this, it is my duty to create an inclusive environment and culture which can foster this to a maximal degree.
As I have stated previously, my role as a teacher will be to encourage the lifelong learning of my students and to inspire them to feel empowered in their outcomes. I hope to motivate my students to think creatively and to honour their natural curiosity. Every class has its own ecosystem of learning abilities and needs, my role will be to create engaging and interactive lessons that are inclusive to all such needs. Because elementary students are in their formative years, they are absorbing everything we teach them, it is important to recognize this, and to fill them with constructive and positive tools that will aid them forevermore.
I believe that I do not only come from a place of the present, but as an educator, that I will greatly impact the future of many lives. I am acutely aware that my influence will define the school experience for my students, I will work tirelessly to make that experience a positive, nurturing, and loving one. I look forward to embedding an inclusive culture within my practice and classroom, and believe that it will breed an incredibly gratifying experience for myself and those around me.
Through my experiences as a student and teaching assistant, I have had the opportunity to reflect on my approaches to learning and teaching. My philosophy of education is; while each student is unique and has differing needs, what remains universal is the need for a safe and nurturing environment where they can grow physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially, so as to meet their fullest potential. I believe that each student has something special to offer in their learning and that it is my job to encourage them to express themselves, and more importantly, to accept themselves and embrace the differences in others.
My role as a teacher will be to encourage the lifelong learning of my students and to inspire them to feel empowered in their outcomes. I hope to motivate my students to think creatively and to honour their natural curiosity. Every class has its own ecosystem of learning abilities and needs, my role will be to create engaging and interactive lessons that are inclusive to all such needs. Because elementary students are in their formative years, they are absorbing everything we teach them, it is important to recognize this, and to fill them with constructive and positive tools that will aid them forevermore.
Ultimately, I am acutely aware that my influence will define the school experience for my students, which will impact them for the rest of their lives. I will work tirelessly to make that experience a positive, nurturing, and loving one.