Reviewing my educational philosophy years after beginning in the profession requires reflecting on my experiences as a student and a teacher. Uncovering the common thread that leads me into the classroom to teach and drives me to continue developing my skills and establishing strong relationships with colleagues and students. 

       Thinking back to my life as a student, the teachers whom I remember most all share some common attributes: they cared about me as an individual, they were passionate about the subject taught, and they had extensive knowledge of the subject area, which made learning interesting, challenging and enjoyable. They were teachers who put knowledge into context and made its relevance clear. Each of these teachers has influenced my approach to teaching: I see myself as a facilitator of learning and believe that learning should be well-balanced between teacher-directed and student-directed activities. I see my role as one which supports each student's learning, so when creating courses/lessons or interacting with students, I am always conscious of their different learning styles and rates. I also work to establish what prior knowledge students have and what they will need to learn in the future. The experiences students have in my classroom have and continue to offer me great learning opportunities: the pacing of lessons, strategies for discussion groups and the use of technology to create differentiated activities. My goal is to create an environment where students feel secure and are willing to take risks in their learning.

       Forming relationships with students is essential in my approach. Many students need encouragement to speak with their teachers, so I emphasize my availability and willingness to help with students' problems with what they are learning. The teacher/student relationship is vital in creating lifelong learners (myself included), and I see my role as a facilitator as paramount in this respect. By modelling a professional relationship with students based on respect, honesty and integrity, students will see that their role in their learning is as important, if not more important, than mine.

       As well as having good relationships with students, it is of the utmost importance that colleagues have a working relationship based on respect, honesty, and integrity that creates a safe working environment of collaboration and risk-taking. Strong collegial relationships allow teachers to focus on the needs of all students as they explore new and exciting ways to deliver the curriculum. We, as teachers, must see ourselves as lifelong learners. We must be willing to adapt and change with the changes happening around us. Not only that, but we must stay in touch with the world of our students and learn from them to make our teaching relevant and interesting. 

       Both teachers and students must establish lasting relationships within their community. Strong relationships with the community allow everyone to understand the world further and the changes happening around them. Through this relationship, connections are made, fostering a sense of belonging. Belonging to a community allows people to realize they are responsible for contributing to the well-being and education of those around them. Students and teachers must realize that their learning roles are not limited to the classroom or school.

       My Philosophy of Education is this; we must all work together to create environments that allow both students and teachers to take risks in their learning and support each other's potential as lifelong learners.