Danielle Nugent

March 26, 2014

Philosophical Statement I may not remember everything my calculus teacher taught me about derivatives but I do vividly recall her caring personality and her ability to make calculus come alive. I think the most important quality great teachers possess is the ability to connect with students. One of my most memorable teachers was my 9th grade biology teacher, Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith had a love for science; he rode his bike to school almost everyday, rain or shine. He always wore a blue shirt and had a beard. In his class I discovered my love for science. I have fond memories of staying after school so I could perfect my understanding of photosynthesis. Mr. Smith was energetic and created an atmosphere were students were comfortable and excited about learning. He was not only interested in my grades but also in my future. He got me thinking about what I wanted to do after high school. After being submerged in my introductory placement I have been exposed to different theories and philosophies of education. I have begun to create my own philosophy statement about education. I strongly believe that education has a wide range of responsibilities, from moral values to producing the next generation of successful individuals. School is the time before students enter the real world, this is the time students should be exploring and finding their own callings in life. Teachers have a significant responsibility in shaping the next generations. Motivated teachers can help inspire students and mediocre teachers can just as easily discourage learning. The best teachers I have learned from have been ones that have held high expectations for me. These are the ones that have left a lasting impression and pushed me to learn and get excited about learning. My plan is to teach 5th grade science, I think I will feel most comfortable with technology based instruction. I would also like to incorporate literature-based instruction, to give my students the freedom to explore different areas in science, or whatever my subject may be. I remember in one of my science classes we were given extra credit when students found a current science related newspaper article. I like this idea, because it exposes students to current events and also gives them the opportunity to read. I would like to stay away from the basal reading approach, but sometimes I think it is necessary for students to learn important information. I am a strong believer in instructional scaffolding. I think one of the best ways for students to learn is by being helped and discovering material out on their own. I know this is how I also learn best. Another approach I like is explicit strategy instruction in the form of mini lessons. If students abilities were tested I would hope to discover what kind of learner students were. Every student is unique and has a different style of learning, whether it is through auditory, visual or kinesthetic learning. I would hope to gauge their levels of reading and understand how they learn best. I would also ask about students own personal interests, so I could incorporate topics that interest students. Many teachers adopt or blend teaching styles depending on the classroom environment. The dynamics and behaviors of every classroom are different. When I observed Educational Psychology class I saw how my teacher changed her teaching

style throughout the day. Depending on the classroom environment and students in the class, her teaching methods slightly changed. Sometimes she was stricter and other times she was more lenient. One of the most important things I have learned is to be flexible. It is good to have your own style of teaching, but excellent teachers are capable of adapting to their students and new ideas. I believe that schools should prepare students for long-term success, for life after school. In order to do this, students need to have a better understanding of themselves. Personally I learn best from real life experience, this is something I plan on incorporating in my own classroom. I understand that not all students will love the subject I teach, however, I believe that it is imperative that they take some interest somewhere within the area, and focus on that. I am interested in teaching elementary science, I want my students to feel comfortable and discover their own interests and excitement in science. I would like to assist my students and guide them along the way but most importantly let them make up their own minds and encourage critical thinking. As we go through life we are constantly meeting new people and learning new things. I am working on the kind of teacher I want to become. I know I want to be energetic and captivate my students like Mr. Smith did for me. I also want to be dedicated and push my students beyond their expectations. I know I am a caring, dedicated, and a hard working individual and want to motivate my students to be excited about science. This is a time for learning and figuring out what teaching styles work best for me. I look forward to one day having my own classroom and students. My goal for this semester is to be open to new experiences and push myself outside my comfort zone so I can be the best teacher possible.