My Teaching Philosophy
First and foremost, I am passionate about my students. They are the number one reason I love coming to school each and every day. I make it my priority to develop positive and trusting relationships with all of them. Research suggests that among school-related factors (location, resources, testing, programs, education levels and administration) the relationship between the teacher and her students is the most significant when it comes to success and achievement in the classroom. On a daily basis, I provide engaging activities, projects and literacy based on my students’ interests to build on their strengths while consistently improving any areas of weakness. To be an effective teacher who creates success for her students, I focus on these six areas as best practice:
Environment
Safe Inclusive Areas of interest Cooperative Shared responsibility
Community
Acceptance Respect diversity Encouragement Problem-solving Collaboration
Classroom Management
Fair Consistent Positive choices Natural consequences “Fill My Cup” Program
Curriculum
Rigorous Interest-based Differentiated Engaging STEAM
Home/School Connections
Daily communication Weekly newsletters Monthly calendars Classroom blogs Conferences
Teacher Role & Responsibility
Model respect Show empathy Build trust Focus on student strengths Provide high expectations
“I am still learning.”
Michelangelo
Just a “small” glimpse into my classroom
Painting “The Starry Night” by artist Vincent van Gogh
Hammering nails into blocks of wood
Sorting/Stacking blocks for number recognition
Making groups of 10 using colorful chips
Dressing up on the 100th day of school (Carl from “UP”)
Watching “The 3 Billy Goats Gruff” at the Carnegie Library
Holding hands with a friend during circle time stories
Deciding how you feel and creating playdoh faces
Designing a habitat & creature after listening to “Pezzettino” by Leo Lionni
Making snow angels on the playground
Forming bridges from snow
Designing a soccer arena for Messi and keeping score with chalk blocks
Painting pictures of Monet’s Chrysanthemums
Building the University of Pittsburgh with small blocks
Creating open-ended art with foam paint
Cutting and painting flowers out of paper cupcake liners