A Philosophy of Education by Taylor Anne Weaver

The purpose of education is to grow and shape the minds of future generations. I have always felt the most fulfilled when I was making a difference in the world, and what better difference to make than to positively affect the lives of students? My educational philosophy revolves around the idea that every student has the ability and the right to learn and that it is my responsibility, as a teacher, to remove any obstacles that stand in the way of student learning. In order remove learning obstacles, I will need a strong understanding of my students, both personally and academically. It is my job to use the data from valid initial, formative, and summative assessments to determine the needs of each of my students. I will provide re-teaching, intervention, and implementation of Individualized Education Plans for students who require additional assistance to meet standards and goals. I will provide enrichment and extended learning opportunities for students who easily meet grade level standards and require higher expectations for their learning experiences to be meaningful. Students with special needs will receive the accommodations and modifications they need in order to be successful. I believe that equal does not always mean fair, and that fair when it comes to education means that each student receives the tools they need to be successful in achieving high standards. This will inevitably vary from student to student. Differences in regards to achievement are not the only differences I will address in my classroom. I will also need to acknowledge differences in race, culture, socio-economic status, gender, sexuality, religion, and language. The most important aspect of responding to various forms of difference is creating a safe and respectful classroom environment. I will create this environment by modeling respect, fairness, and kindness. I will also implement a classroom policy that requires all persons to uphold their fellows, their environment, and the learning process. I will use positive reinforcement to encourage good choices in each of my students. It is my firm belief that punitive measures, humiliation, and belittling are counterproductive and I will not treat my students in this way. By modeling expectations and being open and respectful towards my students, I will foster a safe and inclusive environment. I will also be inclusive of various differences by making my instruction relevant to each of my students. For example, a strong majority of historical figures learned about in school are white males. I will make a special effort to include instruction about important female historical figures as well as those of many different races and creeds. I will also fill my classroom with texts featuring main characters of both genders and a variety of races and nationalities. Books are an excellent way to foster an inclusive environment and I will be sure to be conscious to include texts from other countries and in multiple languages when appropriate. As an educator, I will use a variety of instructional strategies to engage my students. I will teach mini-lessons that include modeling of new concepts and skills.

Then I will facilitate a guided whole group practice, small group exploration, and independent practice that will often be used as formative assessment to guide further instruction. All of my assessments will be informed by my instruction, and likewise, my instruction will be guided by assessment. I will also make use of relevant technologies in my classroom. This is not only an engagement strategy, but teaches 21st century skills that are important for students to learn as they prepare for the real world. Other important life skills include collaboration. My students will frequently work in collaborative groups on inquiry based learning activities. This is one of the ways I will make my classroom a student centered classroom, as opposed to a teacher centered classroom. It is one of my goals to teach my students how to become autonomous learners. Therefore, I believe that students should take ownership for their own learning process. Not only will students guide their inquiry based learning, but they will frequently reflect upon their progress. This is all a part of the process of creating autonomous learners. Of course, in order for this type of collaborative and independent learning to take place, a classroom must be well managed. In order to insure this is the case, I will maintain an organized classroom in which students know where everything goes: supplies, completed work, late work, work to pass back, etcetera. I will spend the first few days of class going over classroom procedures that will become classroom routines. It is important to establish these routines early in order to maintain a well-managed classroom. A good classroom management plan is one of the tools I will use to remove obstacles that stand in the way of student learning: my primary goal. Student learning should be the priority in every classroom, and each of the ideas above contribute to making student learning optimal in my classroom. I will have a well-managed classroom, employ a variety of instructional strategies, and respond to the various differences of each of my unique students so they might all achieve high standards. I believe that it is my responsibility to guide my students to become autonomous learners and prepare them for the lives that await them, and that is just what I will do.