Madeja: Waltham tutor

Certified Tutor

My Teaching Philosophy

Learning to me means acquiring any type of knowledge whether it be fact based, skill based, or environment based. In a successful learning situation, students feel confident in the knowledge they acquire, their ability to succeed and problem-solve, and have the humility and yearning to learn more about the world around them and their own passions. What constitutes learning in my discipline is successful problem solving, developing strong inquiry skills, the ability to prove, discuss, or disprove a hypothesis, and adding continually increasing building blocks to their knowledge base.

I wish to encourage mastery, competency, transformational learning, lifelong learning, general transference of skills, and critical thinking. A perfect teaching situation is where the students feel comfortable, confident, and smart, They believe in their ability to succeed and understand that greatness is expected of them because they are more than capable of achieving it. They understand that their classroom is their community and we are ALL leaders of it, stewards of it, and cleaners of it. They feel trusted and in return trust that their teacher has the best intentions in every action. The students believe in honesty, integrity, and creativity in everything they do. They know that they are mindful change-makers, and the conquerors of societies dilemas. They know the importance and necessity of perseverance, hard work, grit, empathy, self-control, cultural diversity, and social justice for all. These values and beliefs are realized through intentional coursework, activities and reading materials; daily interactions with their peers and teachers; self-reflection, and affirmations.

I believe that learning should be interactive and independent yet collaborative. It should be centered around the whole student and their strengths and areas that need to be more developed. My methods are based on small group work, individualized learning, creativity, technology, traveling, cultural exploration, and social justice.

Relationships are the at the center of my teaching philosophy and style. Students don't learn from people they don't like or people who don't attempt to understand them. Advising and mentoring students is incredibly important to me due to the effect of mentors and coaching I received in my life and academic career. It is an essential part of teaching students. An observer would think my students are my best friends and mentees. They would see our friendly warm relationship and the appropriateness that my students learn to exhibit when interacting with the adults and peers in their lives. I want to work with students because I've found no greater joy in my life. The ability to pass on knowledge is a staple in all cultures. The methods may vary but we are all most definitely a product of our environments and the generations that came before us which include the passionate adults and positive influences in our lives. I want to be that positive influence and positive adult in many people's lives.


I will assess student growth and learning via quizzes but most importantly self-reflection. I will teach students that their most important and valuable critic is themselves. They will be measured through graphs and diagrams to visually see their growth in various areas, Not only will this build confidence by showing students what they have already achieved, but inspire them to know what they can and will achieve. They will also be measured by projects, portfolios, presentations, and peer coaching. I believe one of the best ways to show you understand something is by teaching it to someone else.

I will continue to grow but consciously and intentionally look to improve my knowledge base and hard and soft skills. I will constantly seek to do my best and be impeccable with my words. I hope to be a principal and I will do this through traditional academia and through the help of strong and successful mentors. My attitudes about teaching and learning have definitely changed over time through experience. It has morphed from believing in a more traditional method due to my personal upbringing to a more progressive and student centered method. I will learn new skills through reading, watching, and professional development. I know I have taught effectively when my students have achieved our combined yet personal definition of success.