Home

Teaching Philosophy

Kennedy Pocha

Education has a main purpose of not just delivering curriculum but shaping students as respectful and intelligent individuals to take on the complexities of life. As an educator I believe that the purpose of education is to help students grow academically, and emotionally so they become respectful, capable members of society. While I believe academic content is very important, I see education as an opportunity to help students build life skills and qualities that make a good citizen. Some qualities I strive for my students to obtain are communication, collaboration, self-regulation, and empathy. Each grade level should prepare students for the upcoming grade they are going into. This is essential to preparing them to stay on track and not fall behind. As a teacher this is a huge focus for me, as well as increasing student development such as independent thinkers and problem- solvers. As an elementary teacher, I now understand that effective teaching begins with relationships and respect. Looking back when I was a young student I learned the most when I had a relationship with my teacher. This allowed me to blossom and grow each day. I have seen this first hand as a student teacher, summer school teacher, and observing the classroom. 

The most effective teachers I know are teachers who focus on respecting every student's needs and differences, while also building a strong relationship with them. This is one of my personal beliefs that every student learns differently. It is my role to connect with each student in order to understand their personal needs, strengths, and challenges. As a person my core values are making everyone feel seen and appreciated, this is something I have always lived by and practiced. It is important to me that I carry this into my classroom by creating a safe place for my students to feel respected, heard, and ultimately supported. By creating a safe place for my students, they are more likely to push themselves and take risks within the classroom. This is my ultimate goal as a teacher to encourage students to always try their best, and keep a positive mindset. 

Curriculum can be a main factor in the way students learn. My curriculum will be taught through hands-on activities, group projects and individual work. I think it is very important for students to learn by seeing something in front of them and having a mix of learning strategies. Hands-on activities and manipulatives are a great way for young students to learn because it helps get them engaged and interested in learning. I also will be involving group projects and group discussions in my curriculum. In my classroom I want students to learn how to work with others of different skills and bounce their ideas off of each other. To create a place for maximum learning to occur I will want my classroom to be inviting for my students. When my students walk into my room I want them to feel joyful and excited to learn. I will create this by having a calm classroom with dim lights making it easy for all students to feel calm, safe, and relaxed to learn. I believe the setup of my classroom will be equally important as well as classroom management in my classroom. 

Classroom management is essential to creating a calm and controlled environment. I believe in setting clear expectations with my students at the beginning of the year. By making this clear, students will know the expected behaviors in the classroom. I believe in having a structured classroom but not too strict. This balance will allow my students to have boundaries, but also still feel free to express themselves and learn from their mistakes. I have always been a calm person and I will carry this into my classroom with empathy and compassion towards my students. Because I believe that a calm and well-managed classroom sets the foundation for deep and meaningful learning.

Over the past three years I have continued to grow my philosophy of teaching and have changed my beliefs slightly. Now I believe students are only learning when they are actively engaged and a part of the learning. My goal as an educator is to create a classroom culture where students are constantly learning and growing from one another. I put an emphasis on creating not only a culture but a family in my class, where every student is included and welcomed to be themselves. As I have grown into an adult I have learned my personal values and strive to include these into my class, such as creating a kind, safe, calm, and inviting environment. In all, I believe education is the most important role for shaping the future generations. As an educator I see myself as someone who teaches academic content but also focuses on student development. My main goal is to be there for my students and give them the confidence they need to grow and evolve as a human being.