Philosophy of Teaching Statement
Learning is a lifelong process that all people have in common but accomplish in different ways. Students need to be in a safe and orderly classroom environment in order to learn effectively. I believe in creating a warm, organized, and resourceful classroom setting where students know what is expected of them and work to achieve these goals/objectives. In order to have effective learning in my classroom, I will differentiate instruction by using direct teaching, cooperative learning, inquiry-based learning, and the integration of technology to accommodate for students’ different learning levels, abilities, and styles.
In directed instruction, I will utilize the three domains of teaching: cognitive, psychomotor, and affective. I will provide my students with the appropriate knowledge so that they learn to use higher-order thinking skills, such as applying and analyzing. I will develop and implement lessons and guide my students to achieve independent success. Most importantly, I will always serve as a support and resource for my students.
My students are as much a part of the classroom as I am. Therefore, they will be just as involved in their education as I am. I will provide them with opportunities to be active participants in their education. My classroom will provide for every type of learner: spatial, linguistic, mathematical, kinesthetic, rhythmic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. In order to establish an understanding of and appreciation for the many concepts in science education, the students have to be able to experiment with the knowledge through visual, verbal, and hands-on work. Through cooperative learning, my students will be able to activate their prior knowledge, construct meaning from it, add to that knowledge, and then apply their knowledge to the real world.
As part of my differentiated instruction, I will provide my students with the time and space to inquire about concepts and to learn through teacher-facilitated instruction. Inquiry-based learning stems from activating students’ prior knowledge and enabling them to discover the process of learning. By allowing students to inquire and seek answers through various means, I am enabling them to gain an appreciation for science and learn effectively and independently.
Every piece of knowledge a student learns and skill acquired paves the pathway to higher learning. It is my priority to create stepping-stones that will enable students to use the knowledge and skills they attain in a manner that suits their interest. When educators put forth their effort and dedication to teaching and are committed to acquiring new teaching methods and technology skills to best suit their students’ learning, students are better able to expand their horizons and become conscious of the value of acquiring a high quality education.
