Professional Portfolio

My philosophy of teaching is simple; I believe that in becoming an educator, I have taken on a great responsibility to my students and their families. This responsibility is one that I do not take lightly. My responsibility as an educator is to be diverse in my teaching.

This is to ensure that the students that are placed in my classroom have the best chance to master the educational concepts that are placed before them. I believe that it is my duty to present material in many forms to reach each student’s learning styles and interests.

Students thrive in subjects that are presented to them in a manner that draws on their strengths, involves their interests, and involves them personally in the subject that is being taught.

I also believe that it is important to involve parents and/guardians in the education of students. Community plays a role as well. When students know that they are more than a number, they feel as if they matter. They further feel a part of something greater than themselves, and make great efforts to succeed.

Educating students is not just about teaching a test, but rather about instilling critical thinking and self worth into students in order that they might succeed beyond the test.

For me education only became important when I felt that I was important, and the subject was important to those that were teaching me.

Philosophy of Classroom Management

“Making the most of other people’s strengths and the least of their weaknesses is a surefire formula for managerial success.”

ANONYMOUS

“Generally, management of many is the same as management of few. It is a matter of organization.”

SUN-TZU (4^th cent. B. C.) “Energy” (10), The Art of War, tr. Samuel B. Griffith, 1963

I believe organization, preparation, hands on learning, and knowing your students are all keys to successful classroom management. In order to be fair to my students I make it a point to be prepared for each lesson. It is more important to me to be over prepared than underprepared. I feel that a lesson plan that is jammed packed with great projects, than a lesson plan that dwells on an OK project. Showing students that you believe that they are capable of much, helps to keep students from getting bored with little.

Organization of your class makes students feel as if you care enough about them to make an effort. Organization also helps to cut down on chaos when it comes time for activities to be completed. Organization is also important for class routines to succeed. If a class is organized, than time that is saved can be spent addressing student’s learning needs.

Giving choices of learning through hands-on learning projects is a must in the classroom environment. Busy hands make for content students. As long as students are engaged in activities of interest to them, they should be too busy for disruption.

Finally, I have found that simply knowing my students, and what is going on in their lives, helps to know when and how to avoid disruption. Knowing their likes, dislikes, and needs is key for addressing those needs.

Often times students that challenge us the most when it comes to classroom management, are those that teach us the most about this subject. My main rule of my class is that we must show respect to everyone.