Essay Example on Teaching Philosophy

My theory on human development and learning is that instructing young kids can be very crucial, it’s up to us educators to be good leaders to them, its also important to know that kids never stop learning. There are many qualities that make a great teacher. Some of the most important ones include, inspiring others, always trying to improve for our kids and ourselves, giving back and doing things beyond the classroom. Doing things beyond the classroom may be one of the most important to me. Being a teacher is so much more than just teaching through a lesson plan, especially when dealing with younger kids. Their minds are so curious as to how the world works and its our job to help shape their minds. This is why I believe in the cognitive theory because this age is so crucial. I plan on using constructivism in my classroom because we learn best from doing things hand on and from experience, not just by listening. I will do my best to make sure that my kids know that I have a passion for teaching and will care about them as if there my own.

I plan to use student data to the best of my ability, after all tracking a students work is the best way to make sure that they are on the right track. I plan on giving formative assessments, for example giving one quiz a week on the topic we are learning in order to be sure the students are retaining the information. I believe that it would also be best if these quizzes weren’t so much of a pop quiz, but a planned one, in order to give the students time to properly prepare. In my opinion pop quizzes add on more stress than anything and set kids up for failure. I also plan to give summative assessments at the end of each unit or chapter to be sure the kids are fully prepared to move on to the next. If a kid were to do poorly on the exam at the end of the chapter, I would set up tutoring sessions and have one on one time as much as I could in order to get the child to retain and understand the material, all while having reviews with the other kids that are ready to move on. I would also do this in a timely manner to ensure that the whole class does not fall behind. My solution to meeting the needs of students with diversity or special needs is simple, help them to the best of my ability without singling them out or treating them differently in front of the class. If there was a kid in my classroom who was singled out because of their race or something of that sort, I would go above and beyond to include them in everything and make sure other kids are treating them just as well. Growing up I attended schools that did not have much diversity, most of the schools I went to were predominantly white. As a young kid you don’t pay as much attention to things like this, so it didn’t really matter, but as I got older, I started to notice, and I felt singled out. This is why in the future, in my classroom I plan to have my students learn about diverse cultures as much as possible.

I plan on ensuring that my classroom is a safe space but at the same time, having a zero-tolerance policy. I want my kids to know that when they step into my classroom it’s like having a second home. A place where they don’t have to leave all their problems at the door and pretend, they don’t exist, but instead coming inside and talking about them while trying to solve them, after all if problems are going on at home the very last thing on their mind would be school. Some rules that I plan on using in my classroom is 1. Think before you speak. Lots of times when bad things happen, we tend to react out of anger and blurt out the first thing that comes to mind, when we think before we speak it gives us time to process things and not say something that we may end up regretting later. 2. Be kind polite and courteous to others. Kids work in an environment best when they feel safe, by ensuring that everyone feels comfortable it’s important we be kind in and outside of the classroom. 3. Be on time and prepared. Although it may be out of the child’s hands it’s important that we do our best to be on time to not miss any class time, Same thing with being prepared this too may be out of the child’s hands therefore I would have a supplies station set up to where they could have access to everything they need. 4. Use positive language. Because I want my classroom to be a safe space its important that we only use positive and encouraging language that can lift us up and better ourselves. I also plan on having my kids involved in the community as much as I can. Things like volunteering at a nursing home would put a smile on not only the senior citizens faces but the students as well. Also donating things like old clothes or even toys to something like a children’s hospital to help those in need. One more thing that I think the kids would really enjoy is creating little care packages or small gift bags to give to staff around the school or those in need. Guest speakers are another wonderful way to keep kids interested and get them looking forward to something. A guest speaker could come in based off something were learning or simply because lots of students are curious about that career. 

When I become a teacher, I hope that I can continue to grow, because even as a teacher you never stop learning. The world is changing every day, and we are constantly adapting, we even can learn a thing or two from our own students. As a teacher I feel that it is important to stay open minded. As of right now I don’t plan on going back to school to get my masters, I feel as if there are better things in store for me, things like opening up my own learning center. I would also love to have the opportunity to attend events with guest speakers, to not only better myself as a teacher but as a person as well. Also visiting other classrooms and even schools, as I said before as a teacher you never stop learning so being able to see how my peers operate their classrooms and seeing what works for them could potentially work for me too. There are lots of other ways I plan on growing like reading books and attending teacher conferences. What better way to grow than to come together from various parts of the state, country etc. then to share and compare our ideas.