I take the responsibility of educating the hearts and minds of your children very seriously, and seek to approach every aspect of teaching with intentionality. The following big ideas are the foundation to my teaching philosophy and the basis to how I will approach everything in my classroom.
Teaching and the Teacher:
Teachers are first and foremost life-long learners. At the core of this belief is an understanding that teachers should see their students as people who have the capacity to teach them something, and not just people who need to be taught.
I believe that being a teacher is founded on principles of servant leadership, inspired by the example of Jesus. Everything I do as a teacher is designed to support my students’ growth as both human beings and learners. My role as a teacher is to meet the needs of my students, emotionally and academically. To serve in this sense means differentiating instruction, prioritizing social-emotional learning, engaging in culturally responsive teaching practices, and a continued openness to new and diverse methods of instruction.
Curriculum:
I believe that curriculum provides a useful support to teachers in guiding instructional practices, and cannot be used at the expense of children’s natural curiosity. All of the aspects of the curriculum need to work together to support and build off of students’ innate desire to learn more about the world. I believe that the curriculum can be used in a way that supports students interests and desires, and encourages high academic achievement.
I believe that classroom resources that come as a part of the curriculum need to represent diverse voices. The classroom space should be one in which differences are affirmed and celebrated, and this can be done largely through the curriculum.
I believe that creating cross-curricular connections (i.e. thematic units) encourages a cohesive experience of learning and thereby allows students to see the way in which not only their learning, but what they will see in the world, is connected.
Classroom Management:
I believe in a classroom management style that is founded in relationships of mutual respect between the teacher and the students. When students know they are seen, known, cared for, and respected by the teacher, they will feel safe in the learning environment, and therefore be able to reach their full academic potential. I believe that rules and guidelines for a classroom should be made in collaboration with students to encourage student support of the structure.