Based on my brief time spent in the teaching program so far, combined with two years of experience working as an education assistant, my most prominent teaching philosophy is to meet my students where they are. My job as a teacher will involve spending time forming connections with my students based on trust, respect, patience, and kindness. I will show up every day with empathy in my heart. I will take a student-centred learning approach so that the students will be more interested and invested in their learning journey. I will acknowledge that learning involves patience and takes time. I will create a classroom community where my students will feel safe, seen, valued, and their unique and individual voices will be heard. I know that my teaching philosophy will evolve as I continue through the program and further my learning.
A goal that I have for myself over the spring and summer is to read more books about teaching such as “Outdoor Kids in an Inside World” and “Kids These Days”.
Math and Science Theory of Action Statement
If I want students to be proficient in their ability to use mathematical reasoning in a classroom setting and in their everyday lives, then I must be intentional in teaching explicitly, creating opportunities for inquiry-based learning, and linking mathematical problems and practices to real-world, everyday life examples in order to create meaning for students. Regarding science, I will need to take an inquiry-based, place-based approach that encourages hands-on learning for students. I will provide ample opportunities for students to learn about science through actually being outside and exploring the land and its elements, as I believe these experiences are imperative to their learning.
In his “Theory of Action” presentation, Steven Katz stated, “Our inclination is to preserve and conserve what we already think, know, believe, and do. This is a loaded statement, as I am aware that our human tendency is to settle into a “groove” and then hold on to that “comfort zone”. Knowing this, my intention, if I begin to feel complacent in my practice, will be to evaluate that practice and find areas of new discovery where I can challenge myself and grow. I intend to constantly seek further information and stay informed about relevant new practices, techniques, and emerging knowledge. When I identify challenges in my practice, I will investigate until I get to the root of the problem and do my best to intervene and identify a solution. I will strive to be adaptable because what might work for one group of students is not guaranteed to work with another.