My Teaching Philosophy

My Teaching Philosophy

Teaching Philosophy

What do I believe about teaching? This is a question that the answer will constantly evolve throughout my days as a teacher. Kobe Bryant says that “greatness is inspiring the people next to you” which is exactly what teaching is in a sense. We are the people that these kids see every day for over 150 days, so we have a purpose for these kids to inspire them to learn. We have these expectations set for us by the state, the school, other teachers, and ourselves. How do we get these kids to buy in and go on this journey with us? Everything is a series of choices on the road of our life journey. Our paths are coming together so let’s make the best of it and get something out of this. This comes down to motivation and passion which we as teachers must have to truly get our points across. 

When I teach I must be passionate about what I am teaching otherwise the students won’t feel the urgency and energy to learn. 

The classroom isn’t the only place we can learn so some days we must change the location to reset the mind. Field trips are important to break up the monotony of day-to-day learning. The ability to go outside for a walk during a school day is underrated.

We as teachers shouldn’t control students, we should act as guides that supplement their journey in school. We should be respected and have a relationship where we don’t have to tell them how to act and we can focus on how to best learn how to be a better person and academic weapon. We didn’t become teachers to police kids or to babysit them. 

Teaching should be unconventional at times because that’s how life is. Teaching doesn’t just happen in classrooms and we as experienced adults should know that. The classroom is metaphorical and it can be anywhere we choose. From the car to the rooms we sit in, and the great outdoors anywhere can be a classroom if we have the willingness to learn.

We as human beings all learn differently so why has the teaching profession remained the same for 100s of years? Evolution has taught us to survive you must adapt to the changes around you lest you are extinct. As teachers, we should be pushing the boundaries on how we teach since the world is changing and we are preparing the next generation for the future. I wanna be on the cutting edge of innovation in my teaching. I hated traditional teaching which is why I never did well in school and why I wanted to teach. I want to be the memorable teacher who taught you while you had no idea you were even learning. 

Teaching as a student teacher

I had already taught for a full year before starting my residency so I thought I knew what I was getting myself into. However, I was pleasantly surprised with my students and how amazing they are. Entering 11th grade after teaching 6th grade I expected growth but I had low expectations and these kids surpassed that expectation. I enjoy teaching them and I don’t want to pull my hair out most of the time.

My family is full of teachers who have inspired countless amounts of students. Whether it be academic, emotional, or physical my family has always taught me these things. My mother spent over 30 years teaching preschool before she retired to San Diego. Now she is “unretired” and is teaching 3 days a week at a local preschool. It’s something that is in her blood. My mother was my first teacher and coach. She taught me more than academics which helped me grow into a man and a member of society. My sister is an English teacher who taught in Chile and teaches at Helix Charter High School. My brother who had no idea what he wanted to do in life spent a few years searching for a purpose before he turned to what our family does best. Teaching has always called my family whether we want to do it or not. I have resisted my fate for too long and decided that my purpose is to teach the next generation. Everything I have been through growing up could be useful for another student like myself. If it wasn’t for my mother, my 4th grade English teacher Mrs. Anderson, and my high school English teacher Mr. Morris I would have never succeeded in my life. I have had so many great influences that I must give back and try to be THAT teacher for other students.