My Philosophy Of Education

I dream of an inclusive classroom, in which all students feel safe and valued I model respect and kindness, in hopes that students will follow my lead I celebrate differences within the classroom I see that I can learn from the students just as much as they can learn from me I know that every student has a story, that I hope one day they will share I am a teacher I believethat creativity is an essential skill for the 21st century I striveto integrate the arts throughout the curriculum I wantstudents to show me who they are through their work I valuethe arts just as much as math, science and language I realizethat the arts are a language, one that allows all children to shine I am a teacher I differentiateinstruction based on students needs I appreciatethat all children learn in different ways and at a varying pace I saythat what is fair is not always equal I hopethat all students see themselves reflected in the classroom, and through my teaching practice I worrythat a student may not I am a teacher I put critical thinking at the forefront of student learning (Dewey, 1933) I adopt the role of facilitator and do not hold all of the knowledge I want students to analyze, evaluate and question things in our world I urge students to explore, discover and construct their own understanding I hopeto provide students with the necessary tools to make informed decisions and solve problems I am a teacher I imagine that the sky is the limit I feel that students learn best through hands-on activities and active learning I encourage students to investigate and discuss possible solutions to their own inquiries I want to get students interested and involved in their communities I strive to develop lessons that are meaningful, and relevant to students lives I am a teacher I arriveevery day with an open heart and an open mind I encourage students to take risks, make mistakes and follow their dreams I try. to model these behaviours on a daily basis I knowthat with every passing day I will learn and grow, alongside my students I aspire to create a positive learning environment, where students feel safe to voice their thoughts, feelings and ideas I am a teacher
References Dewey, J. D. (1933). How we think, a restatement of the relation of reflective thinking to the educative process. Boston: D. C. Heath. Palmer, P. J. (1998). The courage to teach. Exploring the inner landscape of a teachers life. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

I am a teacher I understandthat we teach who we are (Palmer, 1998) I bringmy lived experiences into the classroom each and every day I expressmy love for the beach, cooking, travelling and the food network I listento students interests, stories and experiences in return I am a teacher I wonder if my students know how much I believe in them I see students who are struggling, like I did as a child I want them to know that I am here, and will help them succeed I believe that all children have the ability to learn and grow I am a teacher I use ongoing assessment to inform my teaching I takeinto account different learning styles, strengths and needs I provide timely and constructive feedback to help students improve I co-create success criteria along with students, so that they know how to be successful I give them multiple opportunities to show me what they know I am a teacher I know that parents can be our allies I encourage parents to be a part of our classroom community I recognize that student excellence is worthy of a phone call I keep parents informed on their childs academic, behavioural and emotional progress in the classroom I ask for parents expertise on how to better meet the needs of their children I am a teacher I collaborate with fellow educators to plan effective lessons I value these relationships and collaborations and believe in the power of teamwork I understand that as teachers, we can learn from each others experiences the good and the bad I reflect on what has worked, what has not and how I can improve I rely on this process to guide further instruction I am a teacher