My teaching philosophy is centered upon one overarching idea: my students. The
reason I originally went into teaching and the reason I return to the classroom day after day is my students. I see myself as much more than just a teacher to my students, but rather I also see myself as a guide, a mentor, and a step on a ladder for all of my students. It is my job as a teacher to help my students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve success in the 21st century in a warm and nurturing classroom environment. My role as a teacher is as a guide and mentor for my students. I provide them with the resources and the setting to achieve true understanding of skills and materials. I provide them with interactive and engaging materials and technology, relevant curriculum, and inquiry-based, authentic challenges. I provide this within a classroom that is safe, warm, and welcoming so that all my students feel valued and safe taking risks within the classroom. I provide a classroom that values everyone that is a part of it and that understands that each student brings at least one positive thing to the table. I accomplish this by building a community of learners within my classroom. I myself am also part of this community of learners. My students’ role in the classroom is as an active participant in their learning. In my classroom, students are doing the learning. They are working hands on with the materials, creating something or taking something apart. They were working with their peers to achieve a new level of understanding while developing collaboration skills. My students are engaged in authentic tasks while developing skills necessary for the 21st century. Lastly, my students are not a group of people who I only know their first names, their seats, and their test scores from last year. My students are a wide range of students who do not sit comfortably in rows of compliant children. My students are messy but are also growing and learning. My goal as a teacher is to inspire my students to pursue and achieve whatever they can imagine. I truly see myself as a part of the creation of the new generation. My goal as an educator is to make sure that this new generation is kind, innovative, and is not scared to question anything or take risks. I take pride in aha moments and when students finally see their potential. I wake up every morning and drive to school because I hope that I am creating another step on my student’s ladder to their ultimate potential.