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PERSONAL TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

Personal Teaching Philosophy

Joanne Van Zyl

Regent University
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Philosophy of Education Statement

My personal philosophy statement in regards to education is that the key to engaging

children socially, developmentally, and academically in the classroom is to build a strong

relationship based on trust and true understanding of the child. To me, this means that educators

ultimately have the responsibility to be invested in the child’s interests, how they learn, and who

they are as growing individuals. I believe that many teachers make the mistake of treating their

students as subordinates instead of individuals. Although establishing authority is a key

component to classroom management and maintaining order in the classroom, students should

still be treated with the respect they are taught to show to others. Instead of berating the student

after a behavioral misstep, they should be approached with kindness and understanding, telling

them that they know better than this behavior and expect them to grow from this experience.

Reflecting on Experience

I have had multiple experiences in my student teaching with students with consistent

behavior and distraction problems in the classroom. One particular student in my second

placement has a problem with constantly blurting out and antagonizing the other students. The

behavior became so consistent one day, that his color was switched to red and he lost all of his

good points for the day. The student first reacted by going to the corner to cry and pout for the

rest of the day. I went over to the student and asked them if they knew why their color was

switched. He responded that it is because he couldn’t behave right. I quickly dismissed this and

informed the student that he was too intelligent to let his own behavior that he has complete

control over get in his way of success and I expect him to turn it around by the end of the day.

The student was at first resistant, but eventually realized that he was the only one who

could change his situation. He eventually behaved appropriately and gradually started earning his
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points back and moving his color back to blue. At the end of the day, I had another conversation

with student and asked him what he learned from this experience and he stated that he learned

that he knew how to behave in the future and that he would make me and my cooperating teacher

proud. This experience helped me connect with the student and establish trust with him that I

believed his ability to succeed.

I also have experience with connecting with students’ interests by keeping tabs with my

students who love to write. They keep me updated weekly with the chapters they read and we

discuss their inspirations for writing and what they wonder about. I invest in my students as well

by providing thought provoking morning meeting questions that allow students to really talk

about themselves in a deeper level than what time is allotted for throughout the day. This is why

I believe that morning meetings are crucial to every classroom to provide an outlet for students to

connect with their classmates and teachers every day.

Growth in Beliefs

My philosophy of building relationships with my students has been consistent

throughout. However, I also learned throughout this experience how crucial classroom

management is to sustaining a successful classroom, even above content. If an educator does not

have certain rules and procedures in place for their classroom, no teaching would ever be able to

take place. I have also learned to never hold a grudge with students’ behavior and never use

personal emotion when correcting a student. Students are growing and learning everyday, just as

we all are. It is always important to apply this reasoning and patience every time when a student

makes a bad choice, not only for their sake, but our own peace of mind as well.

Teaching Goals
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My teaching goals that are in accordance to my classroom philosophy are as follows:

establishing consistent respectful authority in the classroom, showing more patience and

understanding for students’ individual circumstances, and making an honest effort to get to know

my students every day of class. In order to establish authority in the classroom, my action steps

would be to have consistent rules and procedures, as well as following through with

consequences to maintain order. In order to show more patience and understanding for students, I

need to be constantly aware of what they’re going through at home and at school. This requires

communication with the students, parents, and outside influences of the students as well,

whenever possible. This will prepare me for what to expect for student behavior, work ethic, and

mood. To make an effort to get to know my students I plan to have morning meetings every day

with thought provoking questions about my students, and have at least one conversation with

each of my students daily to let them know i am genuinely invested in them.

Faith Integration

Proverbs 22:6 states “Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are

older, they will remain upon it.” This verse challenges us as role models and mentors to always

model good behavior and work ethic to students so they may follow in the same path. As

educators we should never be quick to anger, show compassion and understanding, and show

genuine interest in every student’s success. Although teachers are only granted their students for

the span of one year, the goal is to make a lasting positive impact in each of the students’ lives.

An educator’s role is to prepare students for independent adult life by building character, work

ethic, and creativity in students. I strive to achieve this goal and make my best effort to impact

every student I teach. in a positive way

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