Philosophy of Education.
As a middle school science and math teacher, I aspire to create a classroom that is at once creative, interactive, organized and appropriately challenging for the students involved. Science and math can be daunting subjects that, in our society, often come with the stigma of being overly technical and left-brained, reserved only for a special gifted few that "get it" immediately. I aim to disprove this belief by incorporating demonstrations and group work that encourage students to use their imagination and problem solving skills, rather than simply memorizing terms out of a textbook. Curiosity and creativity are extremely important elements of science and math, and I strive to create a classroom environment that rewards asking questions and challenging oneself.
I believe that effective, well-managed classrooms are based on a culture of respect. I try to establish classroom norms that encourage students to hold themselves accountable for their actions, and to treat each other kindly regardless of varying perspectives. I want my students to know that even though I am in a position of authority, we are all a team, each deserving of respect. I speak to my students in ways that incorporates positive language as much as possible, and constantly remind them of the power of the word "yet." I believe that cultivating these habits are important because a positive and respectful classroom environment will help to break down social walls of anxiety that can keep students from learning and performing to their potential.
I deeply believe in the importance of effort and quality when it comes to school work. In some classrooms, students that grasp material more quickly than others are favored by the teacher in a way that discourages the other students from participating in class. I want my students to learn and internalize the fact that they are all capable of success, and that completing an assignment or test faster is not necessarily better. Through commitment and dedication, we can accomplish far more than we thought we could, no matter how “naturally gifted” we may or may not be. I want my students to understand that within the walls of the classroom, collaboration amongst peers is far more important than competition. One student’s success should not indicate another student’s failure, and we all learn more when we work together. I feel most accomplished as a teacher when I can tell that my classes help build students up and equip them with self-confidence and a passion for helping others.
"Equanimity -
The ability to quickly and deeply say 'yes!' to each new experience arising." -Shinzen Young
"What you read and what you experience in life are not two separate worlds, but one single cosmos. Every life experience, in order to be interpreted properly, evokes certain things you have read and blends into them. That books always derive from other books is a truth which is only apparently in contradiction with the other truth, that books derive from practical existence and from our relations with other people." -Italo Calvino, The Path to the Spider's Nest
I believe that effective, well-managed classrooms are based on a culture of respect. I try to establish classroom norms that encourage students to hold themselves accountable for their actions, and to treat each other kindly regardless of varying perspectives. I want my students to know that even though I am in a position of authority, we are all a team, each deserving of respect. I speak to my students in ways that incorporates positive language as much as possible, and constantly remind them of the power of the word "yet." I believe that cultivating these habits are important because a positive and respectful classroom environment will help to break down social walls of anxiety that can keep students from learning and performing to their potential.
I deeply believe in the importance of effort and quality when it comes to school work. In some classrooms, students that grasp material more quickly than others are favored by the teacher in a way that discourages the other students from participating in class. I want my students to learn and internalize the fact that they are all capable of success, and that completing an assignment or test faster is not necessarily better. Through commitment and dedication, we can accomplish far more than we thought we could, no matter how “naturally gifted” we may or may not be. I want my students to understand that within the walls of the classroom, collaboration amongst peers is far more important than competition. One student’s success should not indicate another student’s failure, and we all learn more when we work together. I feel most accomplished as a teacher when I can tell that my classes help build students up and equip them with self-confidence and a passion for helping others.
"Equanimity -
The ability to quickly and deeply say 'yes!' to each new experience arising." -Shinzen Young
"What you read and what you experience in life are not two separate worlds, but one single cosmos. Every life experience, in order to be interpreted properly, evokes certain things you have read and blends into them. That books always derive from other books is a truth which is only apparently in contradiction with the other truth, that books derive from practical existence and from our relations with other people." -Italo Calvino, The Path to the Spider's Nest