Autumn Nuest

EDU 250

Amy Thomas

March 31, 2019

Educational Philosophy

“Kids don't remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.” When I

read this quote I really appreciated the truth behind it. Throughout the last several months of

student teaching at Head Start I understand this even more. When kids have hard homes and I

hear about them, my heart hurts for them. But I realize that right now during my student teaching

and definitely in the future I know I will have a chance to make a difference in the lives of kids

by helping realize them realize what a safe person or place can be. Kids will remember how I

treat them and how I talked to them more than they will remember how I tried to teach them to

count or the abcs. This is an important concept I have learned during student teaching.

Another important concept I have learned more recently is just how unique each child can

be. Each one develops and grows up in different ways from each other. A child's family is a huge

impact on a child. If a child feels the support of their whole family behind them, a child feels like

they will be able to exceed and not feel discouraged in learning throughout their lives. I also

realize that if a child does not have a supportive or encouraging family then I get to be that

person in their lives. If they feel like their opinion or something they have to say is respected by

the adults in their lives, it can be a huge deal to children who do not have this in their home life. I

have the opportunity and chance to support each child I come in contact with throughout my life.

I am excited for that fact that I get to be that person and to some children I will be a safe place.
 The first five years of a child's life is the time they are starting to develop the most. They

are just starting to learn about themselves and about the world around them. For young children,

I believe it is important to begin teaching and learning about the different emotions they feel

inside. It is important for them to learn about why they are angry or sad. To understand how

different events in their lives affect the way that they feel inside and why that may cause them to

act out in anger. By building a relationship with my students, they will know that I am a person

they are able to talk to when they are feeling different emotions.

As an educator for young children, it is my goal for the rest of my career to increase my

learning and understanding of how young children are growing and developing. I will continue

learning more about new methods or strategies that help children learn better. I want children to

be able to reach their full potential in my classroom. I do realize that over time and through much

experience I will become a stronger and more confident teacher with each day.

I believe that children’s curiosity is a unique thing as well. As a teacher it is my job to

guide and encourage children with any topic that find interesting. This is a time where students

are discovering how to use critical thinking skills. Children are just learning how to ask questions

and how to make their own ideas or excitement about a subject known. I am excited that each

day I get to help children learn more. During play time or learning time, a child has a chance to

use their imagination and curiosity.

For me personally, I believe that I am a good listener and I understand when children are

trying to talk about something. This is a skill that has helped me throughout college in my field

experience at different preschools. There are many students that get angry or upset about

something. I find myself being more understanding and talking to them about why they are

feeling angry. Even if it's just something as simple as they didn’t like that a friend didn’t talk to
them. They are given the chance to explain it to me so we both can talk about it. Ideas or

guidance is also talked about for what the child can do in different situations. This is a skill that

has been enhanced by being in the classroom four days a week this semester.

Through the last few years, I have learned more and more with each class I have taken to

earn my associates degree. I am excited to see what my future holds when I have my own

preschool class and to see how I can further each child's learning and development. I also know

that throughout the year my education will change because I will be learning more with each

day. But I hope that children always view as how I treated them with respect and not just what I

taught them.