Growing up as a young child, my grandmother was an avid reader. Thus I became inundated with books and literature that spans ages and genres. My first inclination that books were relevant to my education arrived at a very early age with my first membership to a book club. I read almost everything that I could to gain knowledge about the world around me. As a young child I internalized this knowledge. What did I want to find out in my books and how would it benefit my education? I believe that it was at this time my passions and interests were leading me to my current career path.

My philosophy of education is that every child should be educated and has the right to a quality education that fosters confidence, self esteem, and creativity. I believe that a successful educational program incorporates constructivism, authentic instruction, fosters self-efficacy, motivation, and true engagement of the subject material. Teaching children is not about teaching them skills for the test or just a moment it should be focused on teaching skills that they can apply later in all areas of life. Providing ample opportunities for students to learn about material and construct their own meaning from the activities and lessons are focused on having children create their own knowledge of their subjects and their world through analysis. Activities that construct knowledge will remain in students brain because they have internalized information in an authentic real world situation. I believe authentic Instruction is the most meaningful in any educational program. Students should learn with a purpose, not in a haphazard or “we have to do this” approach. Designing activities that are authentic will allow students to be creative and develop their own passion for what is meaningful to them.

Influential Teachers are vital to success in any educational program. I consider influential teachers, those that focus on the whole student and help promote success by modeling the achievement they want their students to attain. A highly influential teacher will model the skills that are essential for building literacy and knowledge within all students. Within instruction an influential teacher will take the time to model behaviors, and think aloud that will assist students to a better understanding of skills that are required in the lesson. Influential teachers also build on student strengths but ensure that the instruction is challenging and meaningful. In order to provide a successful educational program, one has to know their students’ abilities and capabilities to devise lessons that are appropriate for the grade and age level.

Through providing developmentally appropriate lessons, an influential teacher will foster self efficacy and motivate students to join the learning world by finding each students passion. In my own teaching practice I incorporate all of these valuable qualities for a successful educational program.