Philosophy of Education

        I believe that every child is like the handprints that they possess: different and unique. My philosophy of education mirrors this thought. Every child that comes into our classrooms has his or her own, distinct learning style. This creates a difficult task for educators. I believe that every child, no matter how different, can be reached. There are two basic things that I will require in my classroom in order to reach every child. First, I will use a variety of learning materials to present the information. Secondly, I will create an environment that is safe and accepting so every child feels comfortable and is able to learn. Regardless of the differences my students possess, it is still my job to make certain that every child is given opportunities to succeed.

      In my classroom, I will use a variety of methods to reach my students who are at different levels. I will incorporate technology such as Smart boards, projectors, and Power point presentations into my lessons. This can benefit all types of students, especially the visual, tactile, and auditory learners in my classroom.  I will create different kinds of assessments to determine the success of my students because I know that cumulative tests are not always fair. These will include projects and activities that I can monitor and assess student progress while they work. Another material I will use occassionally is worksheets. Although they are not always efficient, worksheets are great tools for extra practice and will give my students more practice on their material. Worksheets can also be modified to become more difficult for those students that are advanced. All of these materials will be kept organized so they are easily accessible and the students can learn on their ability level.

        I know that all of my future students are going to come from different backgrounds and have different home lives.  It is crucial that I make my classroom a worry-free zone for all of my students. In order for a child to learn new material, they must first feel comfortable in their environment. I will make my classroom a safe learning environment where students know that no question is a dumb question. I will support asking questions and taking risks because I know that this will only enhance my students' learning. Self discovery will also take place in my classroom. By allowing the students to talk about their feelings and ideas on a particular subject, I will make them feel accepted and important. This can be done through classroom discussions and meetings. Because they will be bringing their own ideas to the material, they will be excited about learning and want to continue working hard.

       When a student walks through my classroom door on the first day of school, I will right away begin assessing him or her. I will quickly learn about the learning style, strengths, and weaknesses of each student so I can offer the best educational tools to him or her. I know that all of my students will be successful in my classroom because I understand that they are all unique. Like the shapes of their handprints, every child has differences that are hidden until discovered. It is my job to discover these qualities that are unique and provide the necessary means to make each child a success in the classroom. I will teach to each student and not the class as a whole. In my classroom, I plan on using a variety of methods, as well as creating a safe atmosphere so every student that walks through my door can be a success. 

All of us do not have equal talent, but all of us should have an equal opportunity to develop our talent.

-John F. Kennedy