We all have a Philosophy of Teaching? How Often does yours Change?

Knowledge is a lifelong process. Observations, interactions, and assessments of daily encounters guide us through a constant state of learning. Through interactions with other people, individuals learn about their immediate surroundings and the world beyond. Discovery occurs with acceptance or rejection of common held beliefs. Education provides a challenging and inspiring learning environment in which children and adults alike can find commonality on an ever-changing planet. A philosophy, like science needs to be fluid and viscous allowing the best strategies to stick and the others to evolve.

One-way for children to understand and accept their place in their community and the world is to have a pupil-centered classroom. Students learn best when they can rely upon and trust one another as well as their teacher. Knowledge seekers need to find out what is true for them individually instead of conforming to what may be true for others. It is a teachers’ job to guide students to understanding. They should provide familiarization and create a web of unearthing and cohesion. Only then can true learning occur. Each day I enter the room and ask myself two questions? "What are we gonna do today?" I have the curriculum, the 5 E lesson plan in place but like my educational outlook, it is flexible and serous. Standards are fixed but the interpretation of how to open it up for my students is in constant motion.

My philosophy as an educator is to provide challenging learning experiences that promote strong academic development, critical thinking skills, and personal responsibility, while ensuring the opportunity to explore strengths and develop individual creativity. Enlightenment is the seed of freedom. Freedom comes from knowledge.The very best teaching practices include patience, a variety of informational techniques and helping students learn to the best of their ability. Instructors can use lesson plans, and follow academic standards, but they need to be flexible. The use of technology can allow for more student interaction and less lecturing. A variety of hands-on activities as well as readings and visual aids are used to incorporate all students’ learning abilities. My makerspace, technology, and student voice and choice steer the course of my classroom on a daily basis.

By evaluating truth through the education process we come to find our place in the world. Instructors can create a safe and effective learning environment by promoting respect, individuality, and self-discipline. A challenge for educators is to find a balance between classroom management and nurturing self-expression. Providing situations that harvest students’ intellectual and societal development promotes strong academic skills, critical thinking, and personal responsibility. A teacher, when vulnerable, honest, respectful generates a desire to do your best. Students will rise to the challenge when they feel safe to fail and free to choose. Provide them with an arsenal of tools and strategies and let them choose. they will meet you where you are holding up the trophy because they see you waiting not because it is shiny.