Teaching Philosophy
The learning process consists of many components. The teacher illuminates the learning path, the students bring their enthusiasm and the parents do their part to uplift the overall effort. Through these resources, the student can begin the long but fruitful experience of education.
My goal in the education field is that all children are unique and must have a vibrant educational environment that helps them to mature at their own personal level. The primary responsibility is to create this type of atmosphere where a student can develop their full potential. Ideally, it should be in a safe environment where the student can share their ideas and enter new phases of learning. This can be accomplished by doing any or all of the following. The teacher acts as a guide while the student performs hands-on activities that lead to opportunities for practicing skills in a safe environment. Most importantly, students should have choices in order to let their curiosity direct their learning. Finally, technology must play a role in learning equal to other traditional teaching instruments.
The challenge I anticipate is to assist students in expressing themselves and to accept themselves for who they are while eagerly embracing the differences of others. That role requires assisting each child in developing their own learning style through a curriculum that makes the content relevant to the student's perspective. In practice, this will emerge through cooperative learning and individual work that contributes to student progress.
The teacher I envision myself to be is one morally obligated to operating a productive and cheerful classroom admired equally by staff, parents and students. By adhering to consistency, diligence, dedication and perseverance, I hope to make that mission a reality.
The earliest indication of my appropriateness as an educator is based on participation as a student in the New Jersey public school system from kindergarten through grade 12. I complemented my own educational experience by deciding to attend a state university instead of an out of state institution, a decision that has paid dividends. I have been able to return to that same university in a mentoring role which has served to refine my instructional approach. The next level of responsibility I seek is the teaching of early elementary students. In this capacity, I will address that role with an open mind and as many years as necessary.