Educational Philosophy Peer Review

Form
Reviewer: Carmel Elis Person Reviewed Tammie Essary

Education is not a preparation for life; education is life itself.

John Dewey
Why I Want to Teach:
I want to teach because I believe that all children deserve the opportunity to learn, grow,
and mature in a safe and caring environment. I also believe that all children deserve to be loved
and respected. As a teacher, I hope to provide all of this for my students.
In our society today, I believe that are so many children who are in desperate need of
positive role models. I want to be one of those role models and make a positive impact on my
students lives. I want to guide my students down the right path in order to be successful now
and later in life.
Whom I Am Going to Teach:
I am currently seeking my certification in EC-6 with a specialization in special
education. I hope to be able to teach in a Kindergarten, first grade, or second grade classroom. I
also hope at some point to be able to teach in a special education setting. I thoroughly enjoy
being around the younger children ages 4-12. I find it exciting when students learn a new
concept and I can witness their expressions once they understand that concept. However, I
realize that I cannot always have what I would like to have. Therefore, I am quite open to what
God has in store for me after receiving my degree. I realize that I might have to teach third
through sixth grade in order to get in the door of a district. If I do, I will be completely prepared
and will be completely satisfied. Regardless of the grade level, I will teach each student at
his/her point of need in order that he/she will feel successful. I will incorporate each students
culture into my curriculum in order that the students feel ownership in their classroom. I do not
want any student to feel alone or left out of my classroom.

How I Am Going to Teach:

I believe that to be successful my students must be disciplined. In order for them to be
disciplined, I believe that as a teacher I must be on time for classes and/or meetings. I must
always be well prepared for class by having my lessons ready as well as by having the proper
materials and supplies ready. I must live a disciplined lifestyle at school as well as out in public.
I must represent my school with the utmost respect and professionalism. I must remain calm in
stressful situations.
As with any leader, a fundamental element of teaching is to lead by example. If I can
maintain a positive attitude towards my class then my students will hopefully maintain a positive
attitude towards learning.
I believe that my students must be engaged in the learning process at all times. To
accomplish this, I believe that learning must be fun yet relevant. Too much down time will cause
a classroom to become distracted and disrupted. I strongly believe that students must remain
busy. Group projects, hands-on experiences, and technology related assignments are excellent
ways to keep a classroom engaged. I hope to incorporate each one of these in my curriculum.
I believe that class differences such as cultural background, socio-economic status,
learning disabilities, skills, and talents need to be used to enhance the classroom and to teach the
students. I view the differences in my students as opportunities for learning. I also believe that
there should be equity in the classroom. Students need to learn to respect each other for their
differences, similarities, and ideas.
I believe in giving my students every opportunity to excel and be successful. I have no
desire to lay any groundwork for negative self-fulfilling prophecies. I believe in finding
something good in each of my students and focusing on that attribute.
I strongly believe that if I can be positive and encouraging and let my students know that
they can accomplish anything they set their minds to, then my students will stand a better chance
of being successful as they continue to grow and mature.
Where I Am Going to Teach:
My plans are to teach at the district where I am currently employed. Graduating in
December, 2015, I plan on finishing the school year as an aide. During the spring of 2016, I will
be looking to see if anyone is planning on retiring. There is a possibility that one of the
elementary teachers might decide to retire. If so, I will be applying for her position. However, if
no one plans on retiring, I will be seeking a position at other school districts. At this time, I am
unsure of where I will be teaching. I do want to teach at one of the smaller school districts in my

area. I feel that I am more suited to the smaller district and the culture of students who are
enrolled in those schools. I will make myself available to my students parents and families
regardless of the district I am in. I want them to know that I care for my students and want each
one of them to leave my classroom with more knowledge than they had when they entered.
Texas Technology Standards
Standard III: All teachers use task-appropriate tools to synthesize knowledge, create and
modify solutions, and evaluate results in a way that supports the work of individuals and
groups in problem-solving situations.
Teacher Knowledge: What All Teachers Know
The beginning teacher knows and understands:
3.2k how to use research skills and electronic communication to create
new knowledge; and
3.3k how to use technology applications to facilitate evaluation of work,
including both process and product
Application: What All Teachers Can Do
The beginning teacher is able to:
3.1s plan, create, and edit word processing documents using readable
fonts, alignment, page setup, tabs, and ruler settings;
3.11s participate in electronic communities as a learner, initiator, and
contributor;
3.12s complete tasks using technological collaboration such as sharing
information through on-line communication;
3.14s use technology in self-directed activities to create products for and
share products with defined audiences
3.15s integrate acquired technology applications, skills, and strategies and
use the word processor, database, spreadsheet, telecommunications, draw, paint, and utility
programs into the foundation and enrichment curricula
Standard IV: All teachers communicate information in different formats and for diverse
audiences.

Teacher Knowledge: What All Teachers Know

The beginning teacher knows and understands:
4.1k how to format digital information for appropriate and effective
communication
4.2k how to deliver a product electronically in a variety of media
Application: What All Teachers Can Do
The beginning teacher is able to:
4.4s demonstrate appropriate use of fonts, styles, and sizes, as well as
effective use of graphics and page design to communicate effectively
4.6s publish information in a variety of ways, including, but not limited
to, printed copy, monitor displays, Internet documents, and vide

Educational Philosophy Rubric

Item

Acceptable

Needs
Improvement

Assignment
not completed

Point
s

1. Why do I want
to teach?
Comments:

Question
answered

Question partially
answered

Assignment not
completed

2. Whom am I
going to teach?
Comments:

Question
answered

Question partially
answered

Assignment not
completed

3. How am I going Question

to teach?
answered
Comments:

Question partially
answered

Assignment not
completed

4. Where am I

Question partially

Assignment not

Question

going to teach?
Comments:

answered

answered

completed

5. Minimum 50
words for each
question.
Comments:

50 words
minimum for
each question.

Less than 50 words

for any question.

Assignment not
completed

6. Spelling
Comments:

No spelling errors 3 or less spelling

errors for entire
document

Assignment not
completed

7. Grammar
Comments:

No grammar
errors

Assignment not
completed

3 or less grammar
errors for entire
document.

Total Points
35

Tammie, I can tell you made some changes. I really enjoyed reading your
educational philosophy! Good luck on your endeavors !