Teaching Philosophy

Teaching Philosophy

My goal as a teacher is to ensure that all my students feel welcome. There are many ways to implement culturally responsive teaching in the classroom. One way is to invite students and their families to share their cultures with the class. Families are welcome to fill out a culture survey at the beginning of the year and are given a day to come in and speak to the class. Another way to ensure a culturally responsive classroom is to include materials from many cultures in your class. This can include posters of children from many different cultures or backgrounds, or books read aloud in class that reflect children from all backgrounds. 

Going hand in hand with culturally responsive teaching, engaging in reflective teaching is very important for helping me grow as a teacher. This is a philosophy that I find essential. Although it is important to learn how to be a teacher through schooling, I have found that the most important way to learn is by observation and modeling. To further engage in reflective teaching as I advance my career, it is important to me to seek guidance from teachers who may have insights not directly taught. Additionally, interacting closely with students to see what methods work for them and which do not is crucial to creating the best environment. As a teacher, I feel it is up to me to ensure that all students understand diverse backgrounds and feel welcome in the classroom. Although this may be a challenging task, it is possible with dedication. I plan to research my students’ backgrounds to ensure I have as much information as possible and to avoid any unconscious bias I may have. Additionally, I will encourage students to share more about their diverse backgrounds and to find ways to incorporate them into the lessons. 

By ensuring that each student has an opportunity to share their culture, I can help each student feel welcome and learn and practice skills essential to their growth. As I continue to grow in this field, it is important to integrate the knowledge, concepts, and strategies I have learned thus far. By understanding that some students may not have equal opportunities – leading to opportunity and achievement gaps – I will ensure that each student will have equitable access to the help they need to succeed. It is crucial to have a school system that can respond positively to students’ needs. This can include differentiating instruction to incorporate all learning styles. Acknowledging that students come from different backgrounds and communities makes teaching imperative in a way that encompasses all students. It is imperative to reflect inwardly and see myself as both a student and a teacher to further my development as an educator. As mentioned above, getting guidance from other educators and teachers I work closely with is essential in gaining experience that may need to be taught. Every student deserves the same opportunity, and by acknowledging that students may have different opportunities, it is my job to work collaboratively with other members of the educational team to ensure a successful education for all my students.