The teacher is passionate about developing positive relationships with students to promote success in the classroom. They create an engaging learning environment that considers students' interests and strengths, while also improving weaknesses. The teacher focuses on six best practices: a safe, inclusive environment; an accepting community that encourages collaboration; fair classroom management; rigorous, interest-based curriculum; daily communication with families; and modeling respect to build trust and provide high expectations.
1. My Teaching Philosophy
Firstand foremost, I am passionateaboutmy students. They are the
number one reason I love coming to schooleach and every day. I make it my
priority to develop positiveand 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 significantwhen it comes to success and
achievement in the classroom. On a daily basis, I provideengaging 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
ClassroomManagement
Fair
Consistent
Positive choices
Natural consequences
“Fill My Cup” Program
2. Curriculum
Rigorous
Interest-based
Differentiated
Engaging
STEAM
Home/School Connections
Daily communication
Weekly newsletters
Monthly calendars
Classroomblogs
Conferences
Teacher Role & Responsibility
Model respect
Show empathy
Build trust
Focus on studentstrengths
Providehigh expectations
“I am still learning.”
Michelangelo
4. 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