I believe that each and every student is a unique individual. Every child has their own learning style, emotional needs, social needs and cognitive needs. It is important to realize that each student has these different needs so that you can be aware of them and teach lessons in a way that helps them learn most effectively. I believe that by creating authentic relationships with each student and by truly paying attention, a teacher will be able to see what works best for each student. I believe that it does not benefit a child if you teach them content that is too hard or too easy. Teachers should make sure that they are challenging their students just enough to keep them engaged but not too overwhelmed. By knowing one’s students, a teacher can decide what will be the right level for each student so that they do not get discouraged. This is important because it can make or break a child’s experience and thoughts about school.

        I believe that the curriculum of any classroom should include certain basics that contribute to the children’s social, emotional, intellectual and physical development. I believe that these basics include differentiation of lessons, independent and group work times, student exploration and guided lessons. I want my students to be good problem solvers inside and outside of the classroom. I think that one of the most powerful things in life is when you are able to use your words properly to solve an issue. It will be one of my goals to teach my students to be able to communicate with one another to solve their problems. I think that when students are able to do this they are far more independent in everything else in life. I want my students to believe in themselves and know that they can accomplish things and solve problems without the help of an adult. I want to be able to set my students up for success in the future and I think that when problem solving skills are practiced routinely, it will give them confidence and a strong self esteem later in their lives. To differentiate the lessons, teachers should be prepared to present the material in many different ways: visually, orally, and kinesthetically to name a few. I believe that it is important to have student centered lessons that involve students interacting with one another through group discussion, role play, centers and more. Through such interactive lessons, the students will have the time to interact with their peers and try new things which can keep them engaged and authentically learning.

        I believe that the purpose of education is to create a life long learner in each student by engaging them in subjects and learning processes that interest them. I also believe that when you teach each student in the way that works best for them, it can foster and create a love for school. I believe that it is important to teach students how to navigate in the real world. In order to teach those lessons it is crucial to talk about real situations and relate new lessons and concepts to real life experiences so that the students have a prior schema to connect new information to. When students have a prior schema to connect new information to they will have a better chance of truly learning, remembering and most importantly, knowing what it is that they were taught.

        I believe that the materials in a classroom should be multicultural and diverse. Every classroom is unique and requires materials that are original, culturally sensitive and always evolving. I believe that it is important to have a culturally sensitive classroom so that every student that comes in feels safe and protected. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs teaches us that children need to have certain needs met before they are able to achieve personal growth and fulfillment. Such needs include biological/physiological, safety, belongingness/love, and esteem. My goal as a teacher is to meet all of these needs by creating authentic, trusting relationships with my students and by providing a stable classroom with meaningful routines.

        I believe that the role of the teacher is to be a facilitator who nurtures the student’s learning by allowing them to experience and explore on their own. I think that a teacher needs to be qualified and educated to be able to teach students in different ways. I also think that it is extremely important for a teacher to be a good support system for students in need, whether it be for issues at home, school or with their peers. It is the teachers responsibility to make each student feel loved and cared for by being a friend and a good role model in times of need. I believe that a teacher should be approachable and easy to talk to. Most of all, I believe that every teacher needs to teach each child as if they are their own and care for them so that they can grow in all aspects of life.