My Personal Philosophy of Teaching

Ashley Jordan

Ivy Tech Community College

“Every child should have a caring adult in their lives. And that's not always a biological parent or family member. It may be a friend or neighbor. Often times it is a teacher.”

-Joe Manchin

The first time I dreamed of becoming a teacher was in elementary school. After some searching in college, I knew for sure that I did have the passion to not only work with children but to be a lifelong learner. As I continuously progress in my classes I realize that my love for children, teaching, and learning has only evolved to great numbers. When I think back to my third grade class I think I want to be her; I want to love my students, encourage their improvement, and see them grow and learn. Little did I know that in that third grade class, my own view on teaching would start to develop. The love and compassion, ability to help other students, and advancement opportunities in my third grade classroom truly inspired me to further my learning in the teaching profession.

My personal connections with learning and teaching fellow classmates or students has molded my belief that learning occurs in an intellectually stimulating environment where learners can relate concepts to everyday life or their own lives. Learning is enhanced when students know why they are learning, especially if students have a say in the activities they do in class. Realizing that every learner comes from a different background with different beliefs is essential when trying to understand students in a classroom. Providing students with various hands-on activities, group projects, and individual projects really enhances the learning of students. However, it is not until the learner realizes that they are in charge of their own learning that they will be fully engaged in that classroom. Students are constantly learning and have their own unique abilities, characteristics, needs, and interests that contribute to their learning. Every learner needs to feel that they are an important part of a classroom; which can be done by having equal opportunities for the learners to achieve their needs, abilities, and interests. Learning can even be sparked by setting up created activities, using a variety of teaching strategies, or suggesting children to think on their own. In order for real learning to occur students have to take control of what they learn, the teacher is there to support and guide them in the process of their learning. I believe that learners learn through best through scaffolding and apply their knowledge to future tasks based on prior knowledge.

By having to explain concepts to children in multiple ways I have learned that all students learn differently. I personally have to include activities, projects, and assignments that apply to all of

the different learning styles in order to appeal to all students’ styles of learning. I have to get the attention of all of my students and know where they stand throughout the school year to apply the idea of the zone of proximal development. Meaning that, I believe that in order for students to really grow they have to be given reading or assignments that fit within their reading range. I plan to arrange my classroom in a way that will satisfy my students’ needs and their curiosity. The learners in my classroom with understand that if I trust and respect them I want the same in return; but this is built on throughout the learning process. I am a guide to my students and not an authority figure; I am there to assist them in their learning process. Technology in the classroom is imperative because students need to learn how to manipulate different forms of technology. Having my students actively participate in interactive learning techniques, group work, and student led activities is critical in the classroom. Through service learning I have learned techniques that I want to apply in my classroom and some techniques will just not work for me. By, working with several grade level teachers and even a special education teacher, I have found that I can become the teacher I want to be if I continue gaining knowledge and information about teaching.

Finding the joy in teaching, along with understanding the responsibility and effect that students have of my life will be a real reward for me. I have to instill particular aspects in my students that I believe is best for them and by doing so I will learn and grow from the experience. I wish to one day, be the teacher that students can look up to not because they enjoyed having me as a teacher, but because I guided my students in figuring out how to learn on their own. Hopefully, as a teacher I will touch the hearts and minds of all of my students!