Philosophy of Teaching
My purpose in the classroom is to provide a framework and support for student learning to take place. I believe that every student has something to contribute to the class and I try to develop a classroom environment where meaningful and authentic interaction can take place. I also believe that coursework should be rigorous and students will succeed when high expectations are in place.
A thoughtful, relevant lesson plan is the cornerstone for any successful classroom. Students succeed when they expect to learn something each day. I provide the students with calendars to keep them aware of due dates and reading assignments. Additionally, it is my responsibility as an educator to make sure that my lessons are both aligned with the Alabama Course of Study and are relevant to the lives of my students. When I mention relevance, I mean the assignment will prepare students for future endeavors in my class and beyond. Relevance also means that assignments should be interesting and culturally appropriate to the group of students in the class.
Detailed assignment sheets provide a starting place for students. They help students focus on the intended outcomes for the activity and include specific requirements for the assignment. The act of writing detailed assignments helps me to refine the purpose of each activity and outline all the components I want students to learn. The objectives and standards listed on these sheets should be clear enough for the students to understand if they are expected to meet them. For this reason, the standards may need to be re-worded from the language used in the State Department's handbook into a form that is more accessible to students. A grading explanation or rubric will also accompany each assignment or at least provide a point value.
I place primary emphasis on content and secondary emphasis on accuracy in editing while assessing student writing. It is important to reward good thinking and encourage students to get their good ideas on paper. I hold students accountable for a handful of specific editing concerns on each paper to encourage focus and mastery. Students will address editing with their peers during in-class writing workshops. I strive to incorporate a writing piece into every lesson but I do not necessarily provide feedback on every piece of writing. Overall, I believe that the more students write, the more they will improve their writing skills.
Timely feedback on all assignments including quizzes, homework, papers, and projects encourages students and lets them know that their work has a purpose. When students get regular feedback from their teachers they know where they stand. I have found that when I pair a grade with a comment about their work, students work harder on the next assignment to get more feedback from me. Teachers have a great deal of power when it comes to assessment and it is important not to mislead students about grades by grading papers at the last minute before it's time to submit progress report grades. It simply isn't fair to blindside students. I use a web based program that provides timely records to students and parents any time they log on to the internet. I make sure to update grades on a weekly basis.
Diversity is beneficial to a classroom community and I encourage it by making it clear how much I appreciate students from all backgrounds through my actions, words, and lessons. Diversity includes the inclusion of special education students in my classroom. I make sure they can achieve the same objectives I put into place for my other students by taking time to meet with them and look over their IEPs. I try to encourage these students to advocate for themselves because when they need help, they have to learn how to ask for it.
Technology should be incorporated into classroom activities as often as possible. We live in a wired world and I need to keep my content and methods current by implementing technology based activities. iNow and teacher websites provide important connections to parents and students. I have spent a considerable amount of time working on these things to make them accessible and user-friendly.
Professionalism in the classroom and community models responsible behavior for all of my students. I always take time to project a positive image in my classroom each day. I take my role just as seriously when I am representing the school at in-service meetings, sporting events, or other activities. I encourage my students to be true to their values and maintain a high level of integrity by modeling appropriate behavior.
Continuing my own education by reading books and attending conferences will enhance my creativity in the classroom. I work to improve myself through study and exercise. Hopefully, modeling a continued interest in learning may inspire my students to love learning as much as I do.
A thoughtful, relevant lesson plan is the cornerstone for any successful classroom. Students succeed when they expect to learn something each day. I provide the students with calendars to keep them aware of due dates and reading assignments. Additionally, it is my responsibility as an educator to make sure that my lessons are both aligned with the Alabama Course of Study and are relevant to the lives of my students. When I mention relevance, I mean the assignment will prepare students for future endeavors in my class and beyond. Relevance also means that assignments should be interesting and culturally appropriate to the group of students in the class.
Detailed assignment sheets provide a starting place for students. They help students focus on the intended outcomes for the activity and include specific requirements for the assignment. The act of writing detailed assignments helps me to refine the purpose of each activity and outline all the components I want students to learn. The objectives and standards listed on these sheets should be clear enough for the students to understand if they are expected to meet them. For this reason, the standards may need to be re-worded from the language used in the State Department's handbook into a form that is more accessible to students. A grading explanation or rubric will also accompany each assignment or at least provide a point value.
I place primary emphasis on content and secondary emphasis on accuracy in editing while assessing student writing. It is important to reward good thinking and encourage students to get their good ideas on paper. I hold students accountable for a handful of specific editing concerns on each paper to encourage focus and mastery. Students will address editing with their peers during in-class writing workshops. I strive to incorporate a writing piece into every lesson but I do not necessarily provide feedback on every piece of writing. Overall, I believe that the more students write, the more they will improve their writing skills.
Timely feedback on all assignments including quizzes, homework, papers, and projects encourages students and lets them know that their work has a purpose. When students get regular feedback from their teachers they know where they stand. I have found that when I pair a grade with a comment about their work, students work harder on the next assignment to get more feedback from me. Teachers have a great deal of power when it comes to assessment and it is important not to mislead students about grades by grading papers at the last minute before it's time to submit progress report grades. It simply isn't fair to blindside students. I use a web based program that provides timely records to students and parents any time they log on to the internet. I make sure to update grades on a weekly basis.
Diversity is beneficial to a classroom community and I encourage it by making it clear how much I appreciate students from all backgrounds through my actions, words, and lessons. Diversity includes the inclusion of special education students in my classroom. I make sure they can achieve the same objectives I put into place for my other students by taking time to meet with them and look over their IEPs. I try to encourage these students to advocate for themselves because when they need help, they have to learn how to ask for it.
Technology should be incorporated into classroom activities as often as possible. We live in a wired world and I need to keep my content and methods current by implementing technology based activities. iNow and teacher websites provide important connections to parents and students. I have spent a considerable amount of time working on these things to make them accessible and user-friendly.
Professionalism in the classroom and community models responsible behavior for all of my students. I always take time to project a positive image in my classroom each day. I take my role just as seriously when I am representing the school at in-service meetings, sporting events, or other activities. I encourage my students to be true to their values and maintain a high level of integrity by modeling appropriate behavior.
Continuing my own education by reading books and attending conferences will enhance my creativity in the classroom. I work to improve myself through study and exercise. Hopefully, modeling a continued interest in learning may inspire my students to love learning as much as I do.
