I believe that…
All children are born with the drive and the ability to learn. What a child learns depends on what they experience in their environment; which will lead to how they learn once they enter the school system. Since all children are born with the capability to learn, what the child encounters in his or her environment will determine how he or she sees the world. This is the basis of my philosophy of education. I believe that students learn from what is in their environment through social and non-social interactions that include objects and individuals within their environment.

I believe that…
Students learn best when a number of opportunities occur in the classroom, they are as follows: the opportunity to be actively engage in classroom activities through the exploration of different materials and concepts, to learn things that relate to their own lives, and when given the opportunity to interact with others. Through the process of active learning, exploration, and interaction with others students are able to make connections to their own lives making learning relevant and meaningful.

I believe that…
Individual students will demonstrate what they have learned in a number of different ways, which will always be different than the student they sit next to. Not all students are test takers and not all students are dancers; but if each student is capable of showing what they have learned in the best possible way for them; then what does it matter how they are presenting their knowledge? I believe that students need the freedom to explain their learning in creative ways, whether it is written, drawn, sung, or danced. Students need opportunities to try different ways to show their learning to find out what is best for them. With the assistance and support of teachers, through authentic assessments, students can try out different ways of demonstrating their learning. The flexibility of the teacher is key. As a teacher I must be willing to try a number of different strategies to help each of my students demonstrate their learning in the best way possible for them.

I believe that…
It is important that I incorporate learning that will be beneficial to the student’s lives outside of the classroom. Taking responsibility for their own actions and the actions of others, learning to read, write, and do arithmetic, learning to take care of themselves and others are all things that students need to learn. This is especially important if they are not receiving this type of guidance at home. I believe that I can assist in the moral development of students by providing examples or situations about what is right or wrong that can be discussed in a safe environment. Many students may not be getting this type of guidance at home; although such discussions can become controversial, I believe there are ways in which I can introduce situations where parents can recognize the benefits of it being a part of the classroom learning.

I believe that…
Students need to be given an abundance of opportunities to interact with their peers inside and outside of the classroom. This social interaction includes older and younger peers, teachers and other adults. Learning to work with others is not just something that will be used while they are in school, but a skill that will be useful to them in different aspects of life. Assisting students in learning appropriate social skills is important because it will help them as they get older.
Not only does social interaction help students understand the appropriate ways to interact with others; but it allows time for students to learn about their peers and the diversity that is present in the classroom. Through peer interactions students will have the opportunity to learn about different cultures, backgrounds, and lifestyles. The classroom provides a safe environment to ask questions and explore the differences that might otherwise go unnoticed in the real world.

I believe that…
            Students should be provided opportunities to develop emotionally, physically, and socially while in the classroom. Some students need help recognizing their own feelings and the feelings of others. Creating activities for students to explore their own feelings and emotions will help them better develop the capability to understand their peers. By helping students develop emotionally, it will only lead to helping them develop socially. Students need to learn how to work with others, play with others, and understand others. I believe that classrooms where students are given the opportunity to not only work individually but work in small and large groups will help them develop appropriate social skills and how to work with others.
I believe that students need to develop motor skills necessary to participate in activities like writing and playing. Providing opportunities to explore what their bodies can do is important, that is why children need activities that use their bodies. Recess, music, dance, and physical education programs provide such opportunities for students where they can refine and practice their physical movements. It becomes my responsibility as the classroom teacher to incorporate physical activities and movement into the curriculum so that students are developing not only mentally but physically.

I believe that…
Students should express a willingness to learn. Students need to keep the desire to learn with which they are born. When a student is allowed to become engaged with the material and content, I believe they are more willing to learn; and that desire to learn is recreated. Ultimately, I believe that what the child learns has to do with the individual. If the student is not interested in the material, he or she is less likely to learn. The more interested students are in the content the more they likely they are to learn and stay engaged in the material. It becomes my responsibility to find subjects and concepts that the students are interested in and try to incorporate them into the curriculum the best way they can.

I believe that…
Within the classroom it is my role in the learning process is to be there to guide, assist, and facilitate in the classroom. I must create opportunities for students to actively engage in their learning and provide time to explore their environment; while creating an environment where students can see success and improvement. It is necessary that I provide students with  guidance and assistance when they are struggling, but it is also important that I understand when to let a child get through a struggle on their own. I must understand each student’s individual needs and abilities in order to be able to guide and assist them properly. All students will have different needs and no two students will need the same assistance. By learning what the students need and understanding not only how my students are at school but what they are like at home will only help me help my students.
I realize that I must not only have patience with the students, but I must have patience with myself. Before I can help my students I need to understand myself as a teacher and learner and understand why I teach.