Teaching Philosophy

Teaching Philosophy

Cassandra Lyn Fitzgerald

Teaching Philosophy

Over the course of my life I wanted to become a teacher. It all started when I was in
upper elementary school and a few teachers inspired me to be the teacher I am today, but I did
not know at the time they were ahead of their times. Up until then it was mostly worksheet based
and it was not authentic learning. Out of my early experience I was lucky to be at reading level,
but my upper elementary teachers helped me solve my problems.
Now that I have worked with children in the classroom, in both a paid and non-paid
positions, I can truly see why I wanted to become a teacher. Teaching my definition is making
students understand and enlighten them to the outside world. There by learning is defined as
inquiring these skills from the teacher, and relating the new skills to their lives. Currently I am a
constructivism thinker. So as a teacher, I will need to keep a constructivist view in my mind.
Build on prior experience and expand forward. I want the children in my class to be modern
problem solvers.
First, in the early childhood setting there are children at different development levels. So
there needs to differential learning going on and also active learning. Having things open ended
as far as activities are concerned is also important. Teaching them at their level is critical
otherwise they will not get all the skills needed for future grades, and they will not be able to
progress at their potential.
Second, the importance of play is critical, young children need to play and I would say
that students up to the grade of three should be allowed to play in ways that they were allowed in
Kindergarten or preschool. It helps those students who are a bit behind the others. Now I know
there is the rigger of the common core, I am not saying that they are playing all the time in grade
three, what I mean is if there is indoor recess as an option or in the case of Michigan a
requirement in parts of the school year.

Teaching Philosophy

Third, the role of the teacher is of a facilitator and a guider in the childrens development.
Now the teacher needs to be in a supportive mind set for the majority of the school day, now I
know from experience there are certain times where teachers slack off a bit and I know there are
times when their teaching is my way or the highway as well.
Fourth, as a teacher there is the common core, and the KDIss. KDIs are key
developmental indicators that you as an early childhood educator needs to follow in order to be
effective. Eventually those students will being doing common core work in elementary school.
Lastly, I believe in two philosophers of education which are Susan Blow and Jean Piaget.
Susan Blow helped create kindergarten in the United States when there was not such a thing. She
based her research on John Frobel the founder of kindergarten. I believe that young children need
to play but they also have to learn. Jean Piaget is the founder of constructivism which mean
skills are built like building a house one on top of another.
In reflection, teachers need to be able reach as many students as possible. I want to
become a role model to my students rather than just a teacher to them. Also I want the students to
be able to survive in the real world and beyond. Overall I want to be a great teacher and
advocate to both my students and district that I will be teaching at.