Audrey Doederlein

TED 5150
Teaching and Learning Statement

1. Description of the theoretical framework upon which my philosophy is based: My

teaching philosophy is mostly Constructivism. This is student centered learning
where the teacher is engaged in the learning styles of her students and works
towards a common goal of allowing students to think independently and
understands learning as an active construction of knowledge.
a. As a teacher I must concern myself with the background knowledge of
each of my students so that I can help each student make connections
from prior knowledge to the unknown. This will be provided by using
materials which guide student learning but allow discovery through
manipulation of said materials and not solely through teacher lecture.
Students will be required to explore and make connections that are lifelong and relevant to them. The classroom will be organized in a way that
promotes learning and exploration with little interference from the teacher.
The teacher is seen as a guide and learning is the students responsibility
as well as it is their right.
b. Students learn through hands-on experiences and through peer mentor
learning. Relationships with mentors are important within the classroom.
Each student has strengths and weakness and working together such as
within a community is a valuable skill to acquire. Students will learn from
one another.

c. Students will be assessed through various means of evaluation.

Observation will play a role as will written tests and homework.
Classroom and one-on-one discussions will occur to determine students
understanding of topics.
2. I will be a reflective urban educator by understanding the needs of my students
and continually adjusting lessons to best fit those needs. I will challenge myself
to think outside the box and reflect on how my lessons are perceived,
understood, and remembered. I will make changes when necessary and ask my
own peers for evaluation. I will look to my mentors and superiors for feedback as
well as responses from my students.
a. My strengths as a teacher include: patience, self-awareness, kindness,
and respect. I will always take the time needed to make sure my students
get what they need from me. I will make myself available before and after
school when necessary. I will always treat my students with kindness and
respect and expect the same in return. It only takes one unkind remark to
destroy a lifetime of hard work; I will always be mindful of that. I will take
the time to teach my students how to be kind to one another and have
respect for different learners and those whose cultural backgrounds differ
from their own. Areas of weakness within myself include: slowing down
and allowing students ample time to think before jumping in to rescue
them with an answer. I need to work on brainstorming time and
understand that just because kids are silent does not mean learning isnt
happening. I also think I need to work on time management. Filling the
day with too many topics or lessons can be overwhelming and not enough

time is spent on one content area. I need to really look at quality over
quantity. Just because we may have completed 8 lessons does not mean
the students will retain that information, but if instead we had worked in
depth on fewer subjects that may have a more long-lasting effect on the
students. I also have not yet tapped into the many resources readily
available within the local community that would be an asset to my
students.
b. Some professional development experiences I have participated in thus
far are: two conferences held by the college of education at Wayne State
University in which InTasc standards and E-portfolios were discussed. I
also attended a seminar by Harry Wong on classroom management in
2014. And most recently, I toured the friendship circle in West Bloomfield
where I learned about the programs offered to students and schools to
gain life skills knowledge.
3. I will be innovative in my teaching practices by keeping abreast of the latest
technology and having that available for my students whenever possible. I will
look for ways in which to incorporate technology as much as possible throughout
the school days and offer suggestions for at-home continuation of technology
use.
a. I will adapt and modify instruction for my students as needed. I will look
for alternative ways in which a student may be more physically
comfortable in the classroom such as using an exercise ball to sit on
instead of a chair. If a student struggles with handwriting, he or she may
be allowed to type out tests and homework that are not specifically
connected to handwriting. There are many ways in which teachers will

need to adapt in order to meet the needs of her students. I am open to

exploring all options as long as they are safe and effective.
b. I plan to create creative learning experiences by having learning stations
throughout the classroom and less focus on seat work. I like the idea of a
more hands on approach rather than a lecture / worksheet approach. I
think bringing in real-life elements is essential to teaching children; the
lessons must be relevant to them.
c. I will selectively use and apply strategies that result in greater student
engagement and participation. Students develop conceptual
understandings by using prior knowledge and building new knowledge
from experiences in and out of the classroom.
4. I will be committed to diversity by setting a standard in my classroom that all
students have equal rights regardless of learning abilities, race, gender, religion,
economic status, culture, or orientation. We will celebrate each others unique
life styles and understand that differences in the world are to embraced and
accepted in order for true learning and understanding to take place it must start
within each ones own self.
a. Awareness, appreciation, and respect of diverse populations permeate my
teaching philosophy across the curriculum. Every lesson must have an
element of diversity within it whether it be math, social studies, or
language arts. By accepting and welcoming diversity into the classroom, I
will open up pathways in which my students will hopefully walk for a
lifetime. The use of anchor charts, research projects, open door policy,
invites for parents to talk with the students about their culture are all ways
in which I will support diversity in the class.

b. By using the experiences and knowledge of my students culture I will

build a curriculum that encompasses all aspects of teaching and learning.
Learning about the community in which I teach is a strategy that will
benefit myself and my students. I will always be open to new experiences
myself, therefore setting an example for my students to follow.