Philosophy of Education

While it was written three years ago it amazes me how much of my philosophy has remained stable. Meeting children's needs, providing choice, using the multiple intelligence theory, and integration remain at the heart of what I do. While I would say that my philosophy has developed over the years and that there is much more I could discuss (e.g., ongoing assessment, collaboration, ongoing education) I think I'd rather be out doing it.

PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

Written: March 2007

Over the past ten years, I have had many school-based and community-based experiences with children that have shaped my understanding of children’s learning and the transactional relationship between teaching and learning. I believe that education is a community effort and that children are motivated to learn when provided with meaningful opportunities. As a teacher I seek to enable students to consolidate new information and transfer this knowledge into life skills they can use in their current and future environments. Together with their families I will seek to provide the best opportunities that will lead them towards their fullest potential through developing a secure learning environment, implementing best practices and thorough planning.

Through developing a learning environment where their culture, needs and interests are represented, students will have an opportunity to interact and explore freely. Of primary importance is allowing students an opportunity to learn unhindered by their physical and emotional needs. By creating a classroom community with various strategies, including Tribes, students will know my classroom as a safe environment where they have opportunity to take risks and do great things. By exercising input in the classroom, assigning classroom responsibilities, balancing group work and independent work, and teaching interpersonal skills, such as problem solving students will build personal responsibility and comradeship. In these classroom experiences student will feel secure to take risks, assured that consistent boundaries offer protection. When students feel safe they will be willing to venture into unknown territories and experience successful learning.

The physical environment can also support the student through representing their various needs and interests. A variety of materials representing the children’s home culture and interests, including family photographs, should be incorporated into the learning environment illustrating that this classroom community extends to the home. Table groupings and reading corners will naturally encourage students to communicate about their learning with others. Displaying their work and taking opportunities to recognize achievements will show the value I have in their learning and encourage it further. Through an uncluttered, organized environment visual aids can be used as reminders and imagination stimulants. When a classroom environment embraces the philosophy of an interactive program students can produce their best work.

Through implementing developmentally appropriate practices students will have opportunity to develop a foundation in academic understanding. I believe that learning materials should be readily accessible to the children and they will be frequently used as I lead students from the concrete to the pictorial then the abstract, for the developing of understanding. By providing an engaging program students will daily have opportunities to be away from their desks and participating in their learning through movement and activity. By including Gardner’s multiple intelligences into every lesson all students will find the curriculum engaging and worthy of their attention. Through assessment instruction will be targeted to the specific needs of the classroom and will lead to differentiated instruction. I will seek to use a variety of meaningful assessments and evaluations encouraging the use of skills and concepts through relevant assignments. Most importantly I will remain aware of the developmental profiles in the age group that I am working with, so I can continually assess the rate and appropriateness of the scaffolding in my lessons. When developmentally appropriate practices are in place students can grow and deepen their understanding.

To teach to my greatest potential and ultimately encourage the students’ greatest learning I must carefully and thoughtfully plan for their success. My planning will extend from my classroom to my professional growth and development. Strong community, curriculum presentation and student achievement does not evolve without ongoing long-term and short-term planning and reflection. Communication with other professionals and researched based readings are some of the ways I intend to support the development of my planning for a well-balanced program. Others include, gathering further resources and skills from conferences and seminars to develop greater expertise in teaching to the individual needs of the students. I believe students also have a responsibility to engage in personal setting of academic goals to stimulate self-regulation. Developing an inclusive learning environment and implementing best practices can only be achieved through thorough planning.

Ontario supports education for all, and through integration of special needs students into my classroom program all students will learn the value of inclusion in our society. I believe that the best way to encourage growth is with a “strength based” approach where every student, regardless of his or her strengths and needs, will learn to recognize the blessings they bring to our class and the others around them. Through working with a variety of experts in an interdisciplinary setting we will capitalize on support so they can achieve maximum development in a supportive environment. Realistic expectations and appropriate accommodations and modifications will provide these students with the confidence they need to embrace other challenges they may face. Strengths will be acknowledged and needs nurtured in this community that extends to all abilities.

Education is a unique experience regardless of race, culture or creed. I seek for all my students to become wise, independent initiators who believe that they can make a difference.