I believe that each student is unique and with that requires a teacher to meet the students’ general needs of a secure, caring, and stimulating atmosphere. This environment allows students to explore, question, and critically reflect and thus allows students to grow on emotional, intellectual, and social levels. Something to strive for in my teaching is to help students reach and realize their full potential through using various different teaching and learning techniques so the student can learn in a way that is best for them.

I believe in using the curriculum as a learning tool through which it is important to connect with what students know and value. I believe that students learn best when they are able to relate in some way to the material being taught. For example, this can be done in mathematics through using manipulatives that students can relate to such as teaching probability and relating it to weather or carnival games. I also feel that it is very important to ask questions. I think that questions lead to further interest, a critical perspective, allow students to reflect on what they already know and want to learn about, to ask great questions themselves and are a great way to lead into inquiry.

I believe that creating an environment that is stimulating, safe, fun and engaging are essential to my teaching.  Students cannot learn in an environment if they do not feel safe, therefore I hope to express to students that they can feel comfortable and safe in the classroom and with me if they need to talk to someone further. A learning environment that is safe means an environment that is organized, structured and has routines that the students can follow and understand. Students should feel comfortable sharing what they want in regards to academics and when participating in class. It is important to stress to the class that there is no judgement, students may express their opinions, and they must be respected. An environment that encourages success is also essential for student success. Students need to believe in themselves and be rewarded with encouragement when they are succeeding or need a little more help to succeed.

I believe that building relationships with students is about meeting students where they are at, attempting to understand them, and developing connections with them. All students possess positive characteristics and attributes, but these are sometimes overlooked and undervalued. To make these important connections, I may have to refocus and sharpen my lens for thinking about students, especially if I have known students only in a negative light. As a teacher I have to recognize talent, potential talent, intellect, skill, excellence, and ability in any context so I can connect with the student on a more personal level. Allowing students to share their experiences and interest in context is also a great way for me to get to know them better and for them to feel comfortable and like myself and the rest of the class care about them.

One of my hopes as an educator is to instill a love of learning in my students, as I share my own passion for learning with them. I am a compassionate, strong, and dedicated individual who is excited about educating children. I believe that it is important for students to not only receive a solid education, but to be educated by someone who is aware of and sensitive to their individual needs. I am such a person and will always strive to be the best educator that I can be.