I strive to provide a welcoming classroom to students of all backgrounds. I believe in the importance of creating an equitable environment in which each student is given the resources and support needed to be successful both within and beyond the walls of the classroom. I have developed a philosophy of education that emphasizes the importance of creating a safe environment for students to learn, ask questions, and explore their interests. I want every child I work with to feel comfortable in my presence and be able to take risks in order to work toward finding their own passions and meeting their full potential. It is an empowering feeling to watch students grow more confident in themselves through the power of knowledge.
I want my students to understand the important role that they play in the classroom. I learn from them just as much as they learn from me. I believe in the value of social learning and that through collaboration and communication with one another, there can be a transfer of knowledge and learning occurs. This can be seen in my practice through the creation of lesson plans that encourage students to work together on problem-solving tasks. Additionally, I am committed to learning about my students' funds of knowledge that they carry with them into my classroom. I want to learn who each of my students are and what makes them unique. I want to adapt my lessons and teaching styles to fit the needs of each individual student. I want them to provide me with feedback that makes me a better teacher.
My students will learn academic content, as well as the importance of being a good person. I want to instill the value of empathy in each one of my students. This will allow my students to feel more connected to the community of the classroom, which will overall create a more positive learning environment. I teach for empathy by using culturally responsive curricula that also touch on the importance of social justice. I want each one of my students to feel seen and heard in the classroom. These children are the future and they need to learn the impact that they are capable of creating on this world. This confidence is built in the classroom.