Running head: PERSONAL TEACHING PHILOSOPHY 1

Personal Teaching Philosophy

Scarlett Palmieri

Regent University

In partial fulfillment of UED 496 Field Experience ePortfolio, Spring 2018

Running head: PERSONAL TEACHING PHILOSOPHY 2

Education is a time-honored establishment in the United States, and rightfully so.

Not only does education have the power to precipitate deep-rooted societal change, it also has the

power to spark true, personal transformation in each and every individual it touches. Today,

education holds the key to issues like gender equality, poverty, global sustainability, world peace

and prosperity. Because of this, I regard it as one of the most crucial investments as individual or

group can make.

To that end, I believe the purpose of teaching in education is most similar to the purpose

of parenting as described in Proverbs 22:6. Proverbs 22:6 states, “Start children off on the way

they should go, and even when they are old they will not return from it.” (NIV). Teaching

reflects this idea in that it instructs on the habits of thought and deed, as well as the necessary

skills required to help people live and work together in harmony as families, friends, neighbors,

communities and nations (US Dep. Of Ed., 2005).

Teaching should not only aim to inspire the mind and intellect, but the heart, body and

soul as well. Teaching should be comprehensive in scope in that it addresses the whole person,

not just certain aspects of their being. Furthermore, it should be outward focused, rather than

inward focused. In other words, one who is properly educated would go out into the world

looking for ways to make it a better place for others, not solely himself.

As a pre-service teacher and soon to be in-service teacher, I long to inspire, encourage

and empower children to become independent thinkers, lifelong learners and catalysts for

change. I wholeheartedly believe in the transformative power of education and understand that

helping young people understand, care about and act upon core ethical values is one of my

greatest charges.

In partial fulfillment of UED 496 Field Experience ePortfolio, Spring 2018

Running head: PERSONAL TEACHING PHILOSOPHY 3

As an educator, I know that it is my responsibility to provide my students with high-

quality learning experiences, differentiated instruction and transferable knowledge that they will

regard as meaningful and be able to apply to their daily lives. By providing a safe, learning-rich

environment for my students, I will help them to establish a vision and awareness for their future

in which they hopefully prioritize their education.

Moving forward, I aim to cultivate impactful relationships with my students that have the

potential to last their lifetimes. I also aim to inspire them towards virtuous character as a result of

their time in my classroom. This is my deepest hope and goal in teaching, to move each and

every one of my students towards self-control, integrity and excellence. My other teaching goals

include strengthening my technology skills, becoming a more well-rounded twenty-first century

educator and constantly making room for pedagogical improvement through professional

development. Lastly, I would like to extend myself beyond the classroom by finding ways to

become more involved in educational activism. I am confident that over time I can achieve these

various goals.

I am glad to say that my overarching views on teaching have not changed prior to what

they were before I began student teaching. Fostering a classroom culture based on the democratic

ideals of community, empathy and tolerance is just as important to me as it was a few months

ago before I stepped foot in the classroom. Overall, however, I would say that my understandings

of teaching have deepened and evolved as I’ve gained more experience working in the field.

My personal walk with Christ supports my personal statement of philosophy on teaching

and there is no doubt a clear and urgent need to see every believer of Christ testify of the

abounding love found in God in the school setting. As a daughter of Christ, I plan to integrate my

faith and personal beliefs about Christ through various ways in the classroom and keep in mind

In partial fulfillment of UED 496 Field Experience ePortfolio, Spring 2018

Running head: PERSONAL TEACHING PHILOSOPHY 4

that, in the words of Finn Laursen an advocate of Jesus Christ in public education, “Teaching is a

mission field that you fish in differently.” (Brown, 2016)

I take the charge to educate very seriously and am thankful that the Lord has entrusted me

to carry out this might work. I plan to regularly demonstrate the character of Jesus Christ and

reflect His nature in my classroom by acting with humbleness of heart, gentleness, patience and

forbearance (Ephesians 4:2) and by loving those around me with actions and in truth (1 John

3:18). In addition, I plan to pray freely and continuously that my students will experience the

goodness, grace and mercy of the Lord, adopt godly virtues and commit to doing what is true,

good and beautiful in His eyes. With the vision of eternity in mind, I will continue to walk in the

light and love of Jesus Christ so that I may plant seeds of salvation in my students and those

serving in my immediate school community.

In partial fulfillment of UED 496 Field Experience ePortfolio, Spring 2018

Running head: PERSONAL TEACHING PHILOSOPHY 5

References

Brown, Emma. “These christian teachers want to bring Jesus into public schools.” (2016).

The Washington Post, WP Company,

“Character education…Our shared responsibility.” (2005) Home, US Department of Education.

Holy Bible, NIV.

In partial fulfillment of UED 496 Field Experience ePortfolio, Spring 2018