Continuing Teaching License (CTL) Digital Portfolio

Philosophy of Teaching:

       "Fairness is not giving everyone the same thing, but it is giving each person what they need -         that may look different for each individual because everyone is unique" 

       I believe that ...

•  the role of of a teacher is a facilitator or guide who sets high, but attainable goals for students, and brings out higher level thinking and creativity within students
• students should feel safe to take risks, respected, valued, and challenged in the classroom
• parents and community members need to be an active part of a child's education
• the goal of education is to prepare people to become active and productive members of their community

I like to  teach using differntiated instruction.  Differentiated instruction is creating multiple paths so that students of different abilities, interest, or learning needs experience equally appropriate ways to absorb, use, develop, and present concepts as a part of the daily learning process.  I feel it allows students to take greater responsibility and ownership for their learning, and it provides opportunities for peer teaching and cooperative learning.

I also feel that as an educator, I need to allow inquiry-based learning in the classroom.  Through this process, indivduals construct much of their understanding of the natural and human-designed worlds.  Inquriy is not so much seeking the right answer, because often there is none, but rather seeeking appopriate resolutions to questions and issues.  This will create a mind set and attitude to continue the quest for knowledge throughout life.