Philosophy of Education

As an educator, I seek to create a curriculum that is rigorous, relevant, and engaging in a

learning environment that addresses the unique needs of secondary students. A quality
secondary education should assist students in pursuing their interests, forming their
world views, and developing the skills needed to be successful in their postsecondary
pursuits. I seek to provide my students with resources, skills, and support that will assist
them in accomplishing their goals, while facilitating a classroom environment that is
respectful, collaborative, and productive.

I believe that mutual trust and respect are essential components of a productive learning
environment. Every student deserves to feel welcome, safe, and respected in the
classroom. As such, I believe it is essential to develop relationships with all students and
prioritize the establishment of a mutually respectful learning environment during the
first days of the school year. Students engage in meaningful classroom participation
when they feel as though their ideas, questions, comments, and concerns will always be
welcome and respected.

I believe that every student is capable of accomplishing far more than they believe they
are capable of. When designing curriculum, I seek to create lessons and materials that
reflect universally high expectations for my students. In order to accomplish this, I
believe that students need meaningful and constructive feedback. I hope to impart on
my students that there is something to be celebrated in every success, and something to
be learned from every mistake.

I seek to create a curriculum that is socially and culturally relevant to all of my students.
The most meaningful learning occurs when students are able to identify a direct
connection between academic curriculum and their lived experiences. If students are
able to make these connections, classroom activities are inherently more impactful and
engaging. It is my opinion that students are most successful when they are active
participants in their learning. As such, I seek to establish an ongoing dialogue with my
students and encourage them to share their needs and opinions.

With regard to my classroom management style, I prioritize consistent communication

of rules and procedures throughout the academic year. I believe that clear, reasonable,
and sensible expectations are the most important components of a manageable and
productive classroom. Beginning in the first days of the school year, I establish the rules
and procedures necessary for our success as a class.

I believe that the most meaningful learning occurs through collaboration. I am

cognizant of the fact that I am not the sole facilitator of learning in my classroom. Every
student is capable of learning multitudes from the knowledge, stories, and lived
experiences of their classmates. As such, I incorporate collaborative activities and
classroom discussions into my lesson plans whenever possible. In doing so, I hope to
provide my students with necessary skills that will benefit them as they enter the
increasingly collaborative 21st century workforce.