Kaitlyn Turnbull

February 28, 2016

Teaching Philosophy
In order to create a successful and caring learning environment, teachers must
include each of the following elements in their educational repertoire:
1. Student Involvement
2. Variety in Lessons
3. Teacher Participation
Student Involvement
I believe that involving students in assessment is one of the key ways to promote
success in the classroom. Students can become involved in assessment in a variety of
ways, including: self and peer assessment, helping create rubrics, and helping generate
examination questions. According to Kari Smith (2009), assessment becomes a learning
tool when students are involved in the process (p. 1-2). Learning occurs when students
are given the opportunity to repeatedly review the material. Each time a student reviews
the material, whether it is to create a rubric or assess a peers work, they are engaging
with and learning the information. Smith noted that students often feel a sense of pride
when they are involved in the assessment process. In turn, this pride pushes the
students to work harder and achieve greater (Smith, p. 2). Ownership and involvement
equates to academic success according to Smith.
As a teacher, I plan on involving my students as much as possible in the
assessment process. I believe that constant interacting with assessment material will

familiarize my students with their academic expectations. Self and peer assessment has
already become a big focus for me as a pre-service teacher. I have used self and peer
assessment across the curriculum, particularly in Language Arts where students have
been expected to assess their own writing prior to handing it in. As I continue on my
journey as a teacher, I plan to delve further into student-created rubrics and
examinations.
Variety in Lessons
In order to keep students engaged and interested in class, I believe that variety in
lessons is a must for all teachers. By providing variety in lessons, through various
activities and reviews, it is more likely that all learner types will be engaged at one point
or another. It is important to note that changing activities, or providing some break in
attention, will help students focus in regard to attention spans. Providing fidgets and
brain-breaks are also an important part of lessons because they will help keep students
fresh and attentive.
Not only should variety be provided in lessons, but also throughout the school
year. By teaching a variety of units throughout the school year, there is a higher chance
of each student being engaged by a unit that they truly enjoy. Variety is an important
element in teaching because it helps to increase student participation and engagement,
while also allowing the students to learn something new.

Teacher Participation

A willingness to participate in learning activities is the final key element that I believe
creates successful and caring learning environments. Teachers are role models, and
what better way to model how to do something than to do it yourself? For example, if I
expect my students to do a workout video in Physical Education, I would also do it to.
My participation in the workout video will show students that it is okay to make mistakes
(believe me, I will make mistakes). My participation may also convince some of my
hesitant learners to participate too. I believe in the motto: Learn to do by doing, and I
firmly believe that teachers should teach by example, not from a desk.
Conclusion
I believe that in order to be the best teacher I can be I must include the following
elements: student involvement, variety, and teacher participation. My teaching
philosophy can be summarized by the following creed:
In order to create a successful and caring learning environment I will
involve my students in the assessment process so that they can become as
familiar with their learning expectations as possible.
In order to create a successful and caring learning environment I will
provide variety in lessons and throughout the school year, so that my students
remain engaged in their learning activities.
In order to create a successful and caring learning environment I will
participate as much as possible. I will show my students that everyone makes
mistakes, and that it is okay to make mistakes as long as we learn from them.