Students learn better when they are given all the tools they need to succeed. This comes in the form of, as an educator, providing instruction that students can connect to and understand in a way that makes sense to them. It also means giving students a safe learning environment where they feel they can participate in the classroom and make mistakes without judgment. Additionally, I believe in collaborating with students, other teachers, parents, and the community as a whole to help facilitate an environment of perpetual learning. If students are given these things, there is no doubt they will achieve anything they set their minds to.
"Teach to the student, and not to the material" is a principle I strongly follow. My goal is to bring about true learning. I want all of my students to not only understand the instruction I provide, but also be able to connect it to their previous experiences and things they have learned about before. Students should be able to have those moments of "Ah, I get it now!" and I won't stop until I am sure that all of my students have reached a point of understanding and no student is left behind.
Being a student in my classroom means being an active participant, and I strive to create an environment where students feel safe and comfortable asking questions and sharing their opinions. When students are able to feel like they belong and their views matter, this can allow them to be the best versions of themselves.
As a teacher, even if I provide students with all the tools I can provide, and give them a positive learning environment, my reach only goes so far. I believe for students to do their best and be their best, they need support from everyone around them. Community is one the best resources anyone can have, so it's important to me that I collaborate with my students, my fellow teachers and administrators, and the parents and guardians of my students and from around the community. I collaborate with my students by getting feedback from them on things they would like to see in the classroom; with my fellow teachers by garnering ideas from them on how to improve my lessons; with parents to be able to establish a common goal for their young learners and a plan for how to achieve that goal in and out of the classroom; and lastly with the entire community around me to find resources for myself and my students.
Overall, my goal is to provide students with the best environment to learn, grow, and achieve anything they desire. To do this, I aim to establish community involvement, allow students to actively participate in my classroom, and teach in a way that students can understand. I want all of my students to walk out of my class ready to take on the world!