My Teaching Philosophy

All of what I know about teaching and learning is subject to change as education progresses and classroom research improves.  My beliefs about how children learn will continually change shape through experience, current research, and innovative strategies.  One thing remains constant for diverse learners across local and global communities; motivation is a key ingredient for breeding success.  Underneath every great teaching strategy or idea lies the foundation of an effective learning environment where students feel free to take risks, make mistakes, engage in meaningful conversation, ask questions and challenge themselves.  Creating a classroom climate in which student feel successful and self-directed is a powerful strategy.  I can provide an environment where children love to come and learn because they feel successful and proud.  

    I believe that one of the most important aspects of my job is to carefully respond to students and their attitudes about learning because this can help guide them to positive self-perception and independence.  I believe positive attitudes are contagious, and if I wish to build positive attitudes I must engage in best practices that promote them.  Best practices include scaffolding, assuring success, providing student choice, and teaching in depth rather than breadth.  Evaluating learners in my classroom includes understanding their background knowledge, how they learn best, what  motivates them, and what interests them.  Implementing best instructional practices that have high interest possibilities is critical as I develop literacy and problem solving across grade levels.