Chantelle Payne

S00116092

Philosophy statement
This statement is intended for an Education Queensland primary school and will encompass my personal beliefs
and my philosophy of teaching.

Relationships with students and colleagues

Relationships with students
It is clear to me that relationships are a critical resource for development (Pianta, 1999). As an
educator I believe it is important to have a strong and connected relationship with the students. It is
significant to recognise the importance of positive relationships between these two counterparts as
the students will interact more confidently with others accompanied by a more optimistic outlook on
their schooling. This will encourage each student to reach their full potential given the educational
opportunities provided. Positive relationships will also assist in the development and learning
capabilities of each student, having a significant influence on their psychological well-being.
As an educator, I will accept the various roles that is expected of an educator which include a
carer, facilitator, nurturer and a collaborator. I believe that incorporating these roles will assist each
student to feel a sense of security and acceptance in the educational environment. My belief is for
myself as an educator to have the ability to recognise and accept each child as a unique and
individual learner with each having their own exclusive potential. Each autonomous student has a
diverse learning style in which I have the ability to cater for, inevitably building student outcomes
and achievement in their education.
Relationships with colleagues
Partnerships between colleagues contribute to providing positive support for planning and teaching
benefiting students learning and development. I believe that utilizing a functional team approach
and creating a cohesive team will provide a high quality and fulfilled educational journey for
students. I believe that effective team work in an educational setting will lead to a more positive
environment and feelings of stability for all stakeholders involved. I have a strong belief in relation
to the social relationships aspect with colleagues assisting in eliminating stress, strain and tension
often brought on by teaching. Building partnerships with this counterpart can also build their
professional development and benefit students learning. Teachers can collaborate together to
assist in building new knowledge by bringing to the table their diverse backgrounds and unique
experiences.
Issues of knowledge and learning
The first major characteristic that is important for me as an educator to be aware of is the national
agenda: the Australian Curriculum. This document is the key to the content achievements expected
to be taught and adhered to nationally. I believe that the Australian Curriculum forms an important
component of teaching, providing strict and necessary guidelines for an educator to implement into
engaging lesson plans for a successful learning experience for the childs educational journey.
Critical and quality pedagogy
Kellner (2000) says that critical pedagogy considers how education can provide students with tools
to better themselves and contribute to a social change. I believe that critical pedagogy is an
essential aspect to implement in an educational environment as it is teaching the student to
engage in their educational journey, assisting in a social change nationally.
I consider the importance of ensuring quality pedagogy is established in the classroom as this will
directly improve student learning outcomes and assist in developing lifelong and successful
learners. Education Queensland defines student-centred planning as a core principle of a quality
EDFD462 Philosophy statement

Chantelle Payne

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pedagogical framework. I view this principle as an important component of my teaching pedagogy

and will employ it to revolve around the students prior knowledge and attributes as well as student
outcomes.
Lifelong learners
John Hattie (2012) states that we as educators and students need to know what we are doing,
where we are going and how we are going to get there. These self-regulation and metacognitive
skills are our goal which we refer to in the 21st century as lifelong learners. I believe that this is
essential in education, for both the educator and the student to have success in educational
outcomes and to build a positive future for both counterparts in their endeavours.
Constructivist theory
A strong belief that I contain in my philosophy of teaching encompasses Jean Piagets
constructivist theory. I believe that students generate their knowledge and meaning through the
interaction with their prior experiences and ideas. This is crucial in a classroom as the planning and
implementation of learning experiences will depend on each students prior knowledge, ideas and
experiences.
Behaviour theories
It is important to recognise the behavioural approaches that will be employed within an educational
setting. The assertive discipline approach encompasses the notion that students are provided with
rules of how they are expected to behave and the positive and negative consequences that are
aligned with these rules (Lyons, Ford & Arthur-Kelly, 2011). This is a strong belief for me in an
educational stance, as I believe that students in an educational environment need a plan to follow
to ensure their behaviour is adhered to. I do also believe in a goal centred theory accompanied
with the assertive discipline approach to ensure students play a part in choice making in relation to
deciding specific classroom rules and consequences. This enables a child to feel a sense of
ownership and assists them in completely understanding their behaviour expectations in the
classroom.
An understanding of varying communities and contexts
Diversity & inclusion
It is clearly stated in the Queensland Education inclusion policy that every school is required to
build a supportive and engaging place for all members of the community and to accept, value,
celebrate and respond to diversities. I agree with this statement but I also believe that every
member of the school community needs to be respected and valued regardless of their diverse
background. I believe that every student should be provided with a high quality education and
experience rich learning opportunities so each individual child may reach their own unique potential
regardless of their cultural, social or linguistic background. I contain the overall value that each
member of the school community needs to be sensitive to community diversities and treat every
individual with non-judgemental respect.
Catering for individual needs
The importance of equity education is essential to ensure that each student develops to their full
potential. I am aware that each student learns in a different way and unique students will need to
be catered for in relation to their individual diversities. This may include English as second
language or meeting the needs of a disabled student. The differentiation should be applied in a
proactive manner through the design of inclusive learning programs and alternate assessment
strategies. As an educator, it is essential to critically reflect on and monitor the effectiveness of
EDFD462 Philosophy statement

Chantelle Payne

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these alternate experiences to ensure these students are involved in a beneficial educational
program.
Professional acknowledgement
I acknowledge the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and recognise the significance
they play in an educators professional career. I believe that as an upcoming graduate educator, I
am working towards the graduate career stage. In regards to my philosophy, I encompass the
majority of the standards and apprehend the aspects needed for a successful education for each
autonomous individual, particularly the students. I believe that each student learns in a unique and
individual way and catering to those needs is an essential requirement to create an equal and
beneficial education for all students. As an educator I will ensure to critically reflect on my
professionalism and continue to be a lifelong learner. I will ensure each student I interact with has a
successful and rich education experience supported by my teaching methods. It is vital to me as an
educator that I encourage and provide direction for my students to reach their full potential as our
future generation.

EDFD462 Philosophy statement

Chantelle Payne

S00116092

References

Hattie, J. (2012). Visible Learning for Teachers: Maximizing Impact on Learning. Florence, KY,
USA: Routledge. Retrieved from http://www.ebrary.com
Kellner, D. (2000). Multiple Literacies and Critical Pedagogies. In Revolutionary Pedagogies Cultural Politics, Instituting Education, and the Discourse of Theory. Routledge. Peter
Pericles Trifonas
Lyons, G., Ford, M., & Arthur-Kelly, M. (2011). Classroom management: Creating positive learning
environments. (3rd ed.). Sydney, NSW: Cengage learning Australia.
Pianta, R. (1999). Enhancing relationships between children and teacher: American Psychological
Association. Washington: DC

EDFD462 Philosophy statement