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STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

Statement of Informed Beliefs

Tanya Tellez

College of Western Idaho

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STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

Introduction

Classrooms are full of a variety of learning styles, cultures, and unique students.

The diversity in classrooms can be challenging for teachers. In this paper I will be

talking about my beliefs on five topics teachers should understand and know. My beliefs

about these topics will help me set a curriculum that I will use to teach my future

students to accommodate the diversity in my classroom. The first is that all students can

learn, they all have the potential to learn and be successful, they just need the right

motivation. The second is to know how to present teacher expectations to students. The

third is to understand that students’ social status can take an effect on their learning, a

teacher must be able to work with a student who is affected by a certain factor in their

life such as their family, community, or culture. The fourth is knowing the importance of

culture diversity in instruction. And last, setting a curriculum that will be fit for all the

unique students in the class.

All Students Can Learn

One of the most important things a teacher needs to realize is that every single

student has the potential to be academically successful. A teacher needs to think about

every students learning styles and needs to fulfill this potential. All students learn

differently and at different levels. It is also important that a teacher knows how to

motivate and engage the class academically as a whole. Every Single students has the

potential to learn and grow academically. It is up to the teacher to help his/her students

use their full abilities.

One thing that can discourage a child from wanting to learn and grow

academically, is being wrong or being rejecting from their thoughts and responses.
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STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

Students will shy away from participating when they feel their responses are not valued

or they are told they are wrong. Instead of simply saying they are wrong, explain and

lead them to the correct response so they can feel successful.

Just as it is important to be stern and have set classroom standards, it’s also

important to let students have somewhat a bit of ‘fun’ to be engaged in their learning.

This will also encourage students to accomplish their goals and grow in their learning

levels. As a teacher, I will make sure my students are actually wanting to learn, I will try

to incorporate some fun activities in my lessons that will encourage my students to learn

more. I will also engage them in activities that will allow them to participate and never

make them feel like they are wrong.

Teacher Expectations

Setting goals for each student and having each student set their own individual

goals will help a teacher make sure their students are reaching their potential. Students

will also vary in every class on their academic level, but they still all have the same

potential to continue growing. That is why a teacher must find ways to teach in different

learning styles and set goals and expectations at students’ academic levels. Knowing

students’ learning styles and levels will help develop and set appropriate and

manageable expectations for each student.

Setting goals that are too high or too low will end up giving the result of no

improvement. If the goals and expectations are too high, a student might feel

discouraged and won’t try as hard or will just fail because the expectations are just too

high for them, if they are too low then the student will not apply themselves and will not
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grow but stay at the same level. As an educator, one must try to set these expectations

and goals high enough that will challenge the students to try harder and want to

accomplish them, but not so high that the students will feel like they will not be able to

reach them at their level.

Students’ Social Ecology Theory

The social status of a student’s family could take an effect on the student’s

academics and learning. The community and culture they are a part of could also effect

it. These factors will either positively or negatively affect a student’s learning.

Sometimes students who are on a lower level, might come from a culture or family that

does not value education as much. If the family doesn’t have much interest or value in

learning, the student will then not have interest either. Or if their family is from a lower

socioeconomic status, they might not have the supplies at home to do homework, or to

study at home. Teachers who have students like this, may need to give them extra help.

Whether it is help completing homework, motivating them to have interest in learning, or

finding resources and supplies the student may need at home, it is important that

teachers see the students who need the extra help and give it to them.

Cultural Diversity in Instruction

Within a classroom are many different cultures and backgrounds. As a teacher, it

is important to understand that these cultures and backgrounds take an effect on

students’ academics. It is important to value each and every one of their cultures and

even learn and teach about them so students are aware that there are many more
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cultures surrounding them every day and no student should ever feel discriminated

against in the classroom because they are all equal. Teaching students about different

cultures will give them an open mind, this will help everyone treat each other equally.

They will not see these different cultures and backgrounds as odd if they are taught

about them, they will understand that some people have unique cultures. Coming from a

minority, I understand this and will make sure that all of my students feel welcomed and

cared for no matter what culture or background they come from.

Curriculum for All Learners

A teacher must incorporate different learning styles into their lessons to make

sure his/her students are grasping the information and engaging in what is being taught.

It is difficult for every student in a class to learn and be at a high level when they are not

being taught with a variety of learning styles to accommodate them. A teacher will have

to make some changes and adjustments to their curriculum every now and then in order

for it to work in their classroom with their specific set of students. I know that my

teaching curriculum will not be perfect from the start, I will need to adjust it to be fit for

my students and all of their unique learning styles.

Conclusion

Teachers are one of the biggest impacts for the future of young children. We are

one of the beginning building blocks for the success of our students. We have the ability

to help students turn their potential into success with the right motivation and support. It

is important for teachers to notice, value, and take in consideration the diversity in their
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classrooms. Children come from different families, communities, and cultures. These

factors will all take an effect on their learning and as an educator, it is my duty to do all I

can so students can continue to grow and actually want to learn.