Teaching Philosophies
Teaching Philosophy
I believe...
Professional teachers have a rich understanding of the subjects they teach and appreciate how knowledge in their subject is created, organized, linked to the other disciplines, and applied to real-world settings. While faithfully representing the collective wisdom of our culture and upholding the value of disciplinary knowledge, they also develop the critical and analytical capacities of their students.
Professional teachers command spcialized knowledge of how to convey and reveal subject matters to students. They are aware of the preconceptions and prior knowledge students may bring to each lesson and can use strategies and instuctional materials to guide student's knowledge. Professional teachers understand where difficulities are likely to arise and modify their practice accordingly. Their instructional repertoire allows them to create multiple paths to the subjects they teach, and are equipped at teaching students how to pose and solve their own problems.
Literacy Philosophy
I believe...
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Literacy should be a balance of reading, writing, listening, speaking, and viewing components
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Units should be based on state and district standards
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Students learn best when they are immersed in authentic literacy activities
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Teachers should create a text-rich environment to promote literacy and expose students to all genres of text
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Literacy instruction should be a combination of explicit instruction, guided practice, and individual practice
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Teachers should provide differentiated instruction and text to meet the needs of all students
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Writing workshop allows a teacher to model, guide, and conference with students about the writing process
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Book clubs provide an appropriate level for students to develop reading concepts and strategies such as flunecy, comprehension, and visualization
Mathematics Philosophy
I believe...
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Instruction should be differentiated to meet the needs of all students
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Each lesson should have a specific learning goal and real-world applications that spark higher level thinking
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Students should be informally assessed throughout the unit (i.e. exit slips)
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Manipulatives can be used to show why a concept works so students can have a conceptualized understanding
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A parent note that includes directions, strategies, extra practices, and an answer key promotes parent involvement
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Programs such as IXL provide students with practice anywhere and anytime that can help further develop mathematic concepts
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Students should have a chance to work independently, with partners, small groups, and in whole group setting
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Math workshop can provide a variety of practice, differentiated instruction, and grouping
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Teachers should guide students in tracking their growth by using data charts and data notebooks
Social Studies Philosophy
I believe...
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Teachers should utilize technology in order to give students the skills necessary for real-world application
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Teachers should encourage multiculturalism in order to promote a classroom that embraces other similarities and differences
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Students should be given updated real-world topics to debate and form a logical argument
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By providing students with authentic activities and experiences, students can become engaged in the lesson and find it useful beyond the classroom walls
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Students should be taught and given activities that are relatable and meaningful
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Simulations can re-enact a concept that is developmentally appropriate and provide student engagement
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Teachers should give students an opportunity to become informed citizens respecting themselves, others, and their environment
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Primary and secondary sources provide students with teh ability to make connections
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Student led discussions can benefit students in seeing that there are different perspectives on historical events
Science Philosophy
I believe...
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Science instruction should be inquiry-based and students should have the opportunity to experience a variety of hands-on minds-on investigations
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Students should create a question, design an investigation, make a hypothesis, test the hypothesis, and gather results
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Students should be assessed through out the unit not only on concepts, but on performance as well
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Science can be integrated into other subject areas, such as literacy and writing
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Students should create investigation and group norms that will provide a safe environment
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Science instruction should be engaging and promote critical thinking
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Manipulatives and tools benefit students while explore scientific concepts
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Key terms provide students with a rich vocabulary that allows them to write like scientist
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Teachers can use students prior knowledge and misconceptions to guide students in the right direction
Classroom Management Philosophy
I believe...
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Students will learn best when they feel safe in the classroom
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Students are given a sense of responsibility and ownership when they are given the chance to create their own classroom norms
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Students should be given leadership opportunities inside the classroom
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Routines and procedures help develop smooth transitions and provide consistency and organization in the classroom
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As an educator it is important to be firm and fair, yet personable to the students
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Communication between parents, teachers, and students is crucial to help create an effective classroom environment
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Teachers should model expectations daily
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Teachers and students should be given the opportunity to discuss personal lives to build teacher-student relationships
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Verbal and nonverbal gestures are effective when correcting behavior during a lesson
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By instilling the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Kids and Leader in Me students can be equipped with very powerful skills that can be used for a lifetime
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