My personal philosophy of teaching focuses around my beliefs about education and what I hope to accomplish in my future years as a Special Education teacher. My main goal as a future teacher is to create a safe and welcoming classroom for my students. A place where they feel comfortable to be themselves, are motivated to learn and have fun while doing it. The school's of today offer children so much more than simple reading, writing and arithmetic. Yes, academics are the most important components of a school, but schools also give children the opportunity to explore new ideas, learn from and interact with their peers, and to help them become active members of society.
I believe that all students, including students with special needs have the right to learn and to reach his/her highest potential, no matter what his/her learning style or pace may be. Each child should be given the opportunity to live, participate, and interact with one another in the same settings which include school, home and the workplace. Education is an ongoing process that begins at birth and continues throughout our entire lives, both in and out of the classroom. I believe it is important to be aware that education involves not only the instruction that takes place in the classroom but the community and the enviornment in which it exists. Therefore, I believe it necessary to incorporate the aspects of everyday life into the curriculum and for parents to be involved in their child's schooling as well. Effective teachers also bring lessons and activities to the classroom that promote interactive group activities where the children learn from each other. Learning is active rather than passive. In order for a child to fully learn something, they need to learn by doing rather than watching. Through group work, the students are able to share their differing ideas with each other, and gain an even bigger picture of the topic at hand.
