Philosophy of Education
"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire."
~ William Butler Yeats.
I believe that students come first and should be active participants in the learning environment. Every student has the capacity to learn and be successful, and my job as an educator is to bring out and foster that potential.
I believe that as a teacher, I must be a role model for my students. Actions speak louder than words, so my enthusiasm, professionalism, and good character must shine through if I want students to follow my example. By taking a genuine interest in the students and what they are learning both in and outside of my classroom, I can inspire students to become lifelong learners. To that end, it is important to me to continue learning too. Professional development is an important pursuit and I take advantage of any opportunities that present themselves.
I believe parents are the experts on their own children. As a teacher, I can learn a lot from listening to what parents have to say. Good communication is essential in forming a successful relationship between home and school. I also hope that parents will advocate for their child's needs and get involved in school activities.
I believe that it is important for me to teach using current best practices, and that those practices are backed up by solid research. Differentiated instruction is one such practice; knowing where each student is at in their learning and meeting them there is the first step to engaging students and improving their learning. Through the gradual release of responsibiliy model, students master new concepts by first watching, doing with help, and then working independently. It also involves allowing students to approach the concept in many different ways to suit a variety of learning styles and each students' needs. I try to include a lot of inquiry activities and group work into my lessons so that students have the opportunity to discover and explore new concepts while working collaboratively with their peers and engaging in accountable talk about their learning.
I believe the key to classroom management is taking a proactive approach. Understanding what triggers negative behaviour in students and avoiding those triggers can prevent many issues. Providing positive reinforcement for appropriate behaviour and giving students an "honourable out" by providing several appropriate choices, means students are inclined to meet expectations. Consistency, clear expectations, and firm consequences are also important. I don't believe in bribing students with rewards like treats or stickers. I have found that the best motivator is giving students an opportunity to be proud of themselves and their accomplishments.
~ William Butler Yeats.
I believe that students come first and should be active participants in the learning environment. Every student has the capacity to learn and be successful, and my job as an educator is to bring out and foster that potential.
I believe that as a teacher, I must be a role model for my students. Actions speak louder than words, so my enthusiasm, professionalism, and good character must shine through if I want students to follow my example. By taking a genuine interest in the students and what they are learning both in and outside of my classroom, I can inspire students to become lifelong learners. To that end, it is important to me to continue learning too. Professional development is an important pursuit and I take advantage of any opportunities that present themselves.
I believe parents are the experts on their own children. As a teacher, I can learn a lot from listening to what parents have to say. Good communication is essential in forming a successful relationship between home and school. I also hope that parents will advocate for their child's needs and get involved in school activities.
I believe that it is important for me to teach using current best practices, and that those practices are backed up by solid research. Differentiated instruction is one such practice; knowing where each student is at in their learning and meeting them there is the first step to engaging students and improving their learning. Through the gradual release of responsibiliy model, students master new concepts by first watching, doing with help, and then working independently. It also involves allowing students to approach the concept in many different ways to suit a variety of learning styles and each students' needs. I try to include a lot of inquiry activities and group work into my lessons so that students have the opportunity to discover and explore new concepts while working collaboratively with their peers and engaging in accountable talk about their learning.
I believe the key to classroom management is taking a proactive approach. Understanding what triggers negative behaviour in students and avoiding those triggers can prevent many issues. Providing positive reinforcement for appropriate behaviour and giving students an "honourable out" by providing several appropriate choices, means students are inclined to meet expectations. Consistency, clear expectations, and firm consequences are also important. I don't believe in bribing students with rewards like treats or stickers. I have found that the best motivator is giving students an opportunity to be proud of themselves and their accomplishments.