There are a number of practices that contribute to effective teaching and learning, but I will only highlight a few.

Students must be encouraged and supported in learning in order to develop the thinking skills of life long learners. Another central component of my teaching philosophy is critical pedagogy. More than learning any particular skill or piece of information, I will teach my students how to think and challenge them with engaging curriculum. Lastly, it is important to begin where the students are, based off individual characteristics, interests, and abilities. To begin with, effective teaching and learning starts with a comfortable learning environment. As an educator I will create an orderly environment with structure and routine. Beyond the physical nature of the learning environment, it is important to emphasize respect as central tenet of classroom management. By maintaining equity of voice among students and demonstrating respect for all perspectives, I, as an educator, will model the characteristics I expect from my students. In addition, these practices foster a classroom where appropriate communication is welcome and encouraged. A tolerant and accepting environment promotes inclusion and sets the foundation for developing a community of learners. Here, students feel comfortable enough to make mistakes. They can be creative or divergent thinkers. Moreover, they willingly participate in cooperative learning experiences. This social learning is a natural way that students can learn from their peers, and it helps develop important social skills. It reinforces the curriculum and can additionally provide an authentic opportunity to embed problem solving skills and conflict resolution. Next, as a critical educator I will develop an engaging and appropriate curriculum based on the common core standards as well as the interests of students. Students are

more inclined to take an active interest in learning if they are able to make connections to their personal life. When they value the curriculum and see how it is applicable to their daily life, they become motivated and invested in learning. Through my curriculum I will encourage connections, so the relevance of coursework is apparent and information becomes a tool. I will stress the retention of broad concepts. Linking lessons to prior knowledge and making text to text, text to self, and text to world connections also promotes retention. Most importantly, I will teach students how to think and not simply memorize facts, as this is central to developing well-rounded individuals. Critical literacy further includes supporting a curriculum that offers multiple points of view, not just the view of the dominant culture. In using practices of constructivism, I will present students with information, and ask them to make judgments about a particular event, idea, or text, thereby challenging students to use higher order thinking skills to evaluate information for their own personal truth. Lastly, I will differentiate instruction with a strengths-based approach. I seek to reach students at their level, thus making lessons accessible to all individuals regardless of their difference or whether modifications or accommodations are necessary. Incorporating student strengths increases the variety of activities I present and helps build confidence for those who do not learn or express themselves in conventional ways. The tenets that I outlined will lay the foundation for a classroom with high expectations. They seek to work with the natural curiosity and talents of children as individuals to make them critical thinkers and life long learners. As a patient person who values social justice and multiculturalism, I believe that I will be able to implement these practices within my classroom as I adapt to meet the diverse needs of learners. Being flexible is

crucial in creating an engaging learning environment and community of learners as a critical educator.