Teaching Philosophy

There are very few professions that offer the opportunity to sculpt young minds every day in preparation for the future. Teaching does offer this opportunity. This is why I selected teaching as my career, and take my training as a future educator so seriously. I will hold myself to the highest possible standards when I begin my journey as an elementary educator.
All children have a right to the highest quality education. Far too often, students with special needs fall through the cracks and do not receive the quality education they deserve. In order for all students to receive quality education, I feel it is crucial to place special needs students in the least restrictive environment possible.
Students with special needs should have the opportunity to learn with their peers in a general education classroom whenever possible. When needed, the general education curriculum can be supplemented or modified to provide the students with special needs access to the same information as their peers. Learning in an integrated classroom helps students with special needs to feel accepted. Segregating students with special needs in separate classrooms makes these students feel different from their peers and encourages other students to look at them differently. To do our part to provide a balanced education, educators should always model tolerance and acceptance so that students can learn to carry those same values. All students will have different strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, and individual learning styles. Students with special needs are no different. Regardless of the makeup of the class, a quality educator needs to teach to all students. This requires using a variety of teaching methods so that each student can have equal access to the information being presented. Exposing children to a variety of teaching methods will not only ensure that each student can benefit when their learning style is being emphasized, but it will also help students to develop flexibility in learning and will prepare them for exposure to different teaching styles they will encounter in the future.
Our classrooms are becoming increasingly diverse. I strongly feel that this diversity needs to be reflected in our lessons and materials. Students with special needs and minority students need to see themselves represented in our literature, lessons, and activities. It is important that a teacher does not focus solely on white, middle class norms and ideals.
Training young minds is a privilege that cannot be taken lightly. It is our duty as teachers to guide our students through learning with patience and creativity, and to maintain high expectations from all students. A teacher in in a unique position to have a tremendous impact on the lives of many children. I believe a teacher should strive to positively impact the life of each student and work to make the learning process exciting. I hope to inspire my students to learn as much as possible for learnings' sake, and to leave my classroom and continue on their educational journey with a passion and respect for learning. I believe that no classroom has one teacher; I think a teacher should be constantly aware of how much their students have to teach them as well.