What follows are my basic beliefs about the purpose of education and what my role as a teacher in the process of learning should be.  Of course, as all philosophies do, mine will change as my experience as an educator grows.

·        I believe the purpose of education is to prepare students for their future.  As a teacher, I will provide students with knowledge and skills as well as exposure to “real-life”. 

·        I believe students should be taught the basics-reading, writing, and arithmetic.  However, I also believe we as educators need to cultivate life-long learners.  I will teach in a way that encourages students to ask questions. 

·        I believe a safe learning environment is key to the success of students.  Being able to ask questions is the foundations of learning.  Creating an environment where it is not only safe to questions but is expected is something I will strive to do. 

·        I believe that once students have developed questions, teachers provide the scaffolding for finding the answers.  Guiding students to resources and encouraging experimentation is critical.  In their future jobs, the answers are not going to be spoon-fed to them.  They need to learn how to test predictions and utilized resources.  I intend to teach them these skills. 

·        I believe standardized tests to do not always provide a true measure of learning.  However, they are a reality for today’s students and teachers.  Therefore, the content must be taught but it can and should be taught in a ways that fosters a love fore learning and inquisition.  My classroom will be filled with noise-but purposeful noise.  Students will work in cooperative groups to find answers. 

·        I believe that just because there is certain material on the tests does not mean that as a teacher you cannot teach beyond it.  Presenting the basics in a method that relates it to the real world and empowers students creativity and curiosity is the way to “teach to the test” with out stunting learning and growth. 

·        I believe homework should be purposeful practice not just busy work.  Every student may not have the same amount because all students are not equal.  For the student who needs extra practice, it is essential that the student is practicing correctly.  After all, practice does not make perfect.  Perfect practice makes perfect.  As a teacher, I will be involved in not only classroom learning but after school learning as well. 

·        I believe it takes a village to raise a child.  Communication between those village members (teachers, administrators, counselors, parents, and the student) is vital.  At the heart of the village should be the student because without him/her there would be no village.  My job as a teacher is to make sure that everyone in the village is doing their part but most of all that I am doing my part. 

·        I believe teachers can be friendly with their students without being their friends.  I will strive to gain respect from my students by being respectful towards them and expecting the same in return. 

·        Most importantly, I believe school may be the only place that some children receive adult attention and support.  Therefore, while the curriculum in important, I will make it a point to be a positive role model for my students and make it a point to have a positive interaction with each student in my classroom every day.

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Last Updated December 13, 2006

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