Teaching Philosophy Statement

Teachers are more than purveyors of content knowledge. In a democratic

society the role of a teacher has grown to encompass aspects that reach far beyond
the classroom. As a teacher, I intend to foster emotional and intellectual growth
while promoting equality and equity in the classroom, and by extension, the world
around us. I aim to build relationships with students that encourage a healthy and
productive discourse surrounding critical issues and circumstances in our society
and in their personal lives. I aspire to create a safe and celebratory classroom in
which all voices will be heard. I expect to guide students through historical contexts
encouraging them to utilize and cultivate critical thinking as well as analytical skills
to find deeper meaning and personal relevance in this content. Ultimately, my goal
as an educator is to help students understand their value and potential; I hope to
help craft the foundation of a better global future by inspiring and edifying students
curiosity, enthusiasm, and compassion for the world and the boundless possibilities
that lay ahead.
With the aforementioned aspirations in mind, many issues in education and
society will be confronted. Racism, sexism, poverty, hunger, drug abuse, and indeed
every other issue on this planet, as diverse and complex as they may be, have one
umbrella fix: education. A utopian world without issues or conflicts is not the
desired outcome; it is not feasible. That said, a better world with fewer issues or
less severe conflicts is an attainable goal that education can help us achieve.

Issues faced in the United States education system vary in severity. These
issues range from transportation to funding, and from violence amongst students to
apathy among teachers. With an array of issues facing students, parents, teachers,
and administrators in their daily lives, it is easy for educational issues to fall to the
wayside. This cannot be permitted to continue. Problems in the United States
education system affect everyone, whether or not one has a direct connection to the
schools. Problems in our educational system do not trickle down into society;
rather they form a tidal wave with the power to annihilate entire regions and
demographics of people. With this knowledge, the importance of renewal and
change in our education system and the perception of this system in our society are
paramount. Quality education for every child every day is a goal that can and must
be accomplished in order to promulgate a more desirable tomorrow.
History lends us an understanding of our present and offers a glimpse into
what may lie ahead. It is within this area of content that I intend to guide my
students towards the future truths that they will individually and personally
construct. My passion for subject and students will radiate and infiltrate the hearts
and minds of those in my pedagogical proximity. Through varied techniques that
adhere and touch on a multitude of learning styles, I intend to engage and inspire
students. I plan to listen to and learn from my pupils, as I know that there is always
more to discover about oneself and the space we occupy, and that the source of said
discovery may present itself in an assortment of various shapes, sizes, and colors. I
intend on laughing and smiling; promoting happiness through humor, passion, and
compassion. I will be reliable, dependable, and available. I will be tough and

understanding. I will never give up or forget why I teach. I teach because it is

important. I teach because there was never another option. I teach because it is
who I am. I will make a difference.