Madelyn O’Connell

Teaching Philosophy

I entered the field of education because as a young person, I was fortunate to have
teachers who impacted my life and development in a positive meaningful way. Having kind and
enthusiastic educators throughout my youth inspired in me a love for learning and desire to help
others. I chose to become a teacher of childhood because being around children makes me
happy, and makes each day fun and exciting. Knowing that I am able to be a support and role
model for children makes me feel lucky and gives me assurance that my work makes a difference
in the lives of many.

I believe the purpose of education is to help children gain skills in all domains that will
allow them to grow into adults who are able to problem solve, plan, communicate, and be
independent and successful community members. As an educator, my job is to be a consistent
and loving adult in the lives of each student, acting as a second parent to children while they are
at school. While providing children with this support and love they need, I also empower
students to gain skills in independence and problem solving. I act as an advocate not only for
students with disabilities and other special needs, but also for english language learners, students
from poverty and trauma stricken homes, and for parents to feel supported and create a team unit
for children to depend on. In addition to all of this, my classroom environment will be accessible
and welcoming to not only typically developing students, but also includes necessary adaptations
and opportunities for growth for students with special needs. Every student will feel wanted and
important in my classroom.

Children learn best by working in groups and collaborating with their peers, and engaging
in hands-on curriculum to “learn by doing.” Teaching these skills early in life will promote
college/job readiness and life skills. When children are able to play an active role in their
learning experiences, and be active explorers of their environment, they are driven to ask
questions and invest interest in class work. For example, rather than solely reading about how
plants grow in a book, students can be active participants in their learning and each take care of
their own flower plant in the classroom. These types of learning experiences promote
independence, confidence, and exploration, and also allow students to interact and help one
another in the process. The teaching methods I will use in my classroom could best be compared
to those of the learning theorists Marissa Montessori and Jean Piaget, because they will foster
independence, offer opportunities for exploration and collaboration with peers, and put an
emphasis on motor activities. Reading will be a core part of the curriculum, as reading skills are
the foundation for development in all areas of development. Texts that allow students to relate
their learning to real experiences, make predictions, and think critically about the perspectives
and thoughts of others will be incorporated into classroom activity. Not only does this promote
literacy, but will also foster empathy and kindness in students. Routine and structure will be
provided for all students to ensure they feel secure in their classroom, are able to plan for
transitions and regulate their emotions, and feel confident in adults to keep them safe. The
foundation for all interactions between students and teachers will be meaningful relationships
and trust. I will take an active role in creating connections between my students and myself, in
order to establish mutual respect and create a culture of teamwork in my classroom. By doing
this, students will feel empowered and respected as human beings.

To continually improve my performance as a teacher, I will regularly provide students with

activities that allow them to reflect on their learning and apply skills we have worked on
throughout each unit. Although tests and quizzes are necessary parts of curriculum and will be
used as methods of assessment, I will also observe students actively participating in class activity
and their ability to solve problems and complete work independently.
I am a lifelong learner and am constantly looking for ways to improve my performance as an
educator. Because of this, I will continue to seek out opportunities for professional development
in incorporating diversity and culture into my classroom, attending to students who have
experienced trauma and abuse, and working with students with special needs and challenging
behaviors. I also recognize my colleagues and supervisors as valuable resources and will seek
out feedback and techniques from fellow educators. My biggest goal as an educator is to make a
positive impact on as many students as possible, and to make school a home away from home for
the children I care for.