Teaching Philosophy

This page includes my teaching philosophy for my classroom as a whole, as well as philosophies for most core subjects. The core subjects include language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, technology, and classroom management.

General Teaching Philosophy

I believe that a classroom should be a safe, inclusive, and encouraging environment for students to learn and grow. Each student should feel valued. Teachers should get to know their students as individuals in order for them to learn. Teachers should model and structure professional, kind interactions between students. Students should feel comfortable taking risks in their learning in a respectful manner. Students must take ownership of the classroom and their learning.

I believe that all students learn differently, but that all students can learn any topic. In order for a student to learn, a classroom should use interactive and real-life connected lessons when applicable. Lessons should have verbal, visual, kinesthetic parts to help all types of learners. Students should have opportunities to explore topics they are interested in at a developmentally appropriate level. Differentiated learning opportunities should be available for all subjects. Technology should be incorporated into classroom learning to help students become globally competent in a technology-based world. Formal and informal assessments which are aligned to the learning objectives should be incorporated into lessons.

Classroom expectations should be clearly stated for students, including learning goals and everyday behavior. Students should understand what they are expected to learn before each lesson and how it connects to their lives. School behavior expectations should be direct and consequences should be clearly stated. Families of students are partners in student learning and should be given ample opportunities to show their support.

Core Subject Philosophies

Classroom Management

I believe that:

classroom policies should be straightforward, clear, consistent, and fair.
policies created for the classroom should always contribute to creating a safe environment for students.
students should play a part in creating classroom rules and expectations.
classroom rules and expectations should be communicated to students at the beginning of the year.
teachers should foster positive relationships with all students in a professional manner.
students should feel comfortable, safe, and respected in their classroom.
students should take ownership of their classroom, personal needs, and learning.
a variety of techniques to redirect students without distracting from instruction should be implemented.
teachers should be an advocate for their student's needs.

Language Arts

I believe that:

language arts includes reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
every classroom should contain a library with multi-leveled books that have a variety of genres.
reading involves word recognition, fluency, and comprehension.
read-alouds should be incorporated into everyday lessons, especially writing, which focuses on one of the authors crafts.
students should have time to read and write for fun.
all students should have a writers notebook.
writers workshop should include time to present work to an audience.
teachers should provide a variety of strategies to decode words, text meanings, and increase fluency.
every classroom should have a word wall.

Mathematics

I believe that:

students learn in many different ways and should be given the opportunity to learn different strategies in the classroom.
teachers should help students understand how each topic is applicable in real-life situations.
teachers should give students opportunities to become confident manipulating numbers.
mathematics is more than getting the correct answer.
students should be able to explain their strategy when solving an equation rather than just memorizing the process.
students should be given strategies in solving numerical and world problems. students should be able to collaborate with their peers when problem-solving.
teachers should have ample manipulatives available for students to explore mathematical concepts.
lessons can be differentiated for students who need more practice or ones who need more complex problems.

Science

I believe that:

all sstudents can learn any science topic through engagement, exploration, explanation, elaboration, and evaluation.
teachers should give students opportunities to observe phenomena in the classroom.
students should learn about phenomena that is applicable to their own lives through hands-on experiences.
science should involve cross-curriculum subjects such as reading, writing, and mathematics.
students should be able to model the scientific method by recording their questions observations, and conclusions.
science should be interactive, engaging, and collaborative in an encouraging classroom community.
teachers should encourage student interest in the sciences in a science-job related world.
technology and other science-related tools should be available and their uses explained in the classroom.

Social Studies

I believe that:

students should understand big ideas from lessons rather than memorizing facts and dates.
students should be given opportunities to learn the difference between reliable sources and biased sources.
social studies includes cross-curriculum subjects such as reading, writing, science, and mathematics.
lessons should include meaningful, interactive, value-based, challenging, and active components.
students should understand how to be a responsible, respectful, and proactive citizen in their communities.
students should study the past in order to reflect on what could happen in the future and how they could change it.
social studies should be technology-based in order to become globally aware in a technology-based society.
lessons should include multiple ways to learn new concepts such as role-play, discussion, writing, and reflecting.
students should be given the tools to analyze various perspectives.

Technology

I believe that:

technology should be used to appropriately communicate with student's family about behavior, grades, and other school news, if possible.
students should have the opportunity to learn how to use technology appropriately in a technology-centered world.
students should use technology to enhance their knowledge in all subject areas.
technology should be consistently incorporated into lessons.
students should be exposed to technology in a one on one setting and in group settings.
teachers should look for ways to incorporate technology in the classroom outside of the possible designated curriculum options at teach school.
technology should be used consistently communicate learning objectives to students and their families.
technology can be used to eliminate paper waste in the classroom.
technology can be used to create safe partnerships with the community.