Philosophy Statement

That lightbulb moment a student has when they finally understand a difficult topic, or

realizing that a struggling student retained key information are essentially the main reasons why I

strive to be a teacher. Ultimately, the purpose of education is to learn something new and gain

valuable skills. Throughout the year, students are expected to gain additional knowledge in

various subject areas. During this time, mistakes will be made. However, being in school teaches

students to learn from their mistakes and improve, making them well-rounded individuals. It is

through their education where students gain essential life skills that they will need in the future.

For instance, from the time a student enters Kindergarten, they begin to develop social and

problem-solving skills that are transferable to any profession. As students progress through the

different grades, they continue to gain skills that will assist them in being a functioning

individual in society. With these skills, students will have the ability to adapt to situations and

make independent decisions, ultimately leading them to realize their potential and strive for

success.

I want to facilitate a positive learning environment open to new ideas and beliefs, making

my classroom a place where students can share different perspectives which guides them towards

success. I believe if the students are comfortable in the classroom, they will be more likely to

take risks and become more involved. Currently, numerous students associate math with a lot of

negativity, especially when they get to more advanced courses. My goal is to create a classroom

that is not solely centered on the traditional lecturing and completing worksheets as a routine.

Instead, I want my classroom to be student-centered. In math, many students need more than
seeing how a problem is done. I believe students need practice in order to perfect a skill. Giving

the students hands-on experience will assist them in learning the methods which they will

remember better than just watching someone do it. Mathematics topics build off of each other, so

by having students retain information through hands-on learning, they will be more successful in

future tasks. I believe a classroom guided by collaboration yields results. Throughout my

experiences, I have noticed when students are prompted to work in groups or have the choice

between two activities, they become more enthusiastic about what they are learning. The same

applies to have mini competitions, students will be motivated and focused to complete the

activity. Furthermore, group work leads to a better understanding of the material. Some students

comprehend concepts better when it is reinforced by a peer. This allows students to learn new

tricks and see math from a different point of view since problems can be solved in a variety of

ways. Additionally, if a student can explain their work it reinforces their understanding of the

material. Overall, I believe by facilitating a classroom composed of various teaching approaches

will lead students to have a more positive outlook on mathematics and a better educational

experience.

Knowledge of the students’ needs is a key component when preparing lessons. It allows

the teacher to plan effectively by being able to gauge how much time will be needed for certain

activities. It is essential to follow student’s accommodations and promote the least restrictive

environment, in order for them to be successful. Additionally, some of these accommodations

can be beneficial to the class as a whole, leading to more efficient lessons. I plan to motivate my

students by keeping them engaged. I want to facilitate a classroom centered around change. I

believe lessons and activities need to be broken down into short time intervals since it is hard for
students to constantly be sitting and remain focused. By differentiating instruction students will

be more engaged and focused on the task.

Overall, all students do not learn the same and teaching is about reaching all of those

different types of learners. Math is a complex subject that many students give up in because they

fall into the trap of memorization and cannot make sense of it. Mathematical content is meant to

foster students into becoming open-minded and to develop problem-solving skills, which they

can use later in life. It is essential to assist students in developing a solid foundation which will

lead them to be able to conceptualize the topic better. With this understanding, students will be

motivated to look for patterns and put the pieces of various mathematical problems together.

When a student comprehends a specific subject this increases their self-worth which leads them

to flourish. I want to support students through their math experience so that they finish the year

as confident and inquisitive thinkers.