A little about my background....
In my late teens and early twenties I worked as a missionary for about six years. I began with short term missions trips in Africa working in an orphanage, in Haiti doing medical missions, and in Mexico building houses for families in need. It was in Mexico that I discovered a passion for teaching when I had the opportunity to work at school in Guadalajara.
I taught for a year, and although my supervisors encouraged me to stay at Lincoln Bilingual School, I declined. It was a hard decision, but the right one. I had limited training as teacher and I wanted to be able to offer the best education possible to my students. In order to do that, I knew that I needed more formal schooling. I moved back to the States and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Western Michigan University.
I taught for a year, and although my supervisors encouraged me to stay at Lincoln Bilingual School, I declined. It was a hard decision, but the right one. I had limited training as teacher and I wanted to be able to offer the best education possible to my students. In order to do that, I knew that I needed more formal schooling. I moved back to the States and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Western Michigan University.
My Teaching Philosophy
Through my travels I have seen
a great need for educators. Moreover,
educators who are enthusiastic about what they are teaching. I think back to those teachers who were “shining
lights” to me through my academic career and I hope to carry on their flame
into my students.
As each student is unique in who they are and how they learn, I want to provide and environment that reaches them where they are and help guide them to realizing their own learning potential. I plan to accomplish this by: 1) Creating an ethos of caring in the classroom; 2) partnered with strong structure in curricular planning and assessment; 3) by with working my fellow teachers.
I will create an ethos of caring in the classroom by helping students to gain respect of themselves and each other through exploring cultural diversity, and by providing opportunity for students to express their ideas and thoughts to myself and their classmates. Curriculum will be based on learning styles and interest of the students, and also by incorporating modern technology, music, and dance.
Assessment will be through a variety of means such as hands on activities, group work, quizzes, and an occasional test. Even though there will be a strict curriculum to fallow, students will have the opportunity to choose what they wish to focus on as a class and as individuals. I believe that having a well planned class with active participating students helps create an atmosphere conducive to the enjoyment of learning.
I also strongly believe in the involvement and partnership of my fellow teachers. Meeting together and seeking each other out to help create the best learning environment for our students. As a team with many minds working together, tackling difficult situations can help lessen the burden that can fall on the single teacher. Ultimately, I hope to create a passion for learning in my students that they take out of the classroom into the world.
As each student is unique in who they are and how they learn, I want to provide and environment that reaches them where they are and help guide them to realizing their own learning potential. I plan to accomplish this by: 1) Creating an ethos of caring in the classroom; 2) partnered with strong structure in curricular planning and assessment; 3) by with working my fellow teachers.
I will create an ethos of caring in the classroom by helping students to gain respect of themselves and each other through exploring cultural diversity, and by providing opportunity for students to express their ideas and thoughts to myself and their classmates. Curriculum will be based on learning styles and interest of the students, and also by incorporating modern technology, music, and dance.
Assessment will be through a variety of means such as hands on activities, group work, quizzes, and an occasional test. Even though there will be a strict curriculum to fallow, students will have the opportunity to choose what they wish to focus on as a class and as individuals. I believe that having a well planned class with active participating students helps create an atmosphere conducive to the enjoyment of learning.
I also strongly believe in the involvement and partnership of my fellow teachers. Meeting together and seeking each other out to help create the best learning environment for our students. As a team with many minds working together, tackling difficult situations can help lessen the burden that can fall on the single teacher. Ultimately, I hope to create a passion for learning in my students that they take out of the classroom into the world.