When I wrote my first philosophy for teaching, I remember using phrases such as “student-centered instruction”, “inviting classroom environment”, and “cross-curricular activities”. While these strategies still hold true to my values, my conceptual understanding of knowledge and learning have shifted over the years as I have gained experiences as a teacher and began my journey in the Master of Arts in Education program at Michigan State University. My initial goals of this program included enhancing my inquiry, evaluation, and research skills, learn creative ways to engage students and cultivate learning, and gain a deeper insight in the theoretical and practical backgrounds to drive my teaching practices in literacy. The courses in this program have allowed me to address these goals as well as understand education from a global perspective to enhance my professional practice.
Just as my philosophy for teaching shifted over time, I recognize the importance of evolving as an educator in the context of our current society. During a time of teaching digital natives, it is essential that I access digital platforms and apply new technologies in my instruction. I have learned how to utilize resources such as Padlet and Flipgrid which can be implemented when teaching any subject area to diverse learners. In using appropriate technology, students will be able to access ideas, information, and resources, and use digital tools for communication, collaboration, and presentation.
Another goal of mine is to gain a deeper understanding of the issues of privilege, power, and oppression in the educational context. I have been informed on issues of literacy instruction and policies, explored multicultural education, and examined the implications of diversity and students with disabilities. These experiences brought attention to the importance of the unique social dynamics of ethnic, racial, gender, ability, sexuality, religious, and socioeconomic differences in the education of children. By acknowledging the inequalities within the educational system and making appropriate changes, my hope is to make each student feel valued and empowered.
I have been able to reflect on educational inquiry which inspired my ambitions to continue understanding how information and human experiences shape our views of the world. Each person has knowledge based on different experiences and insight, but students are often told what to think and how to operate in the world as told by adults. I strive to give my students the opportunity to share knowledge, analyze information, and cultivate an environment where they learn multiple perspectives of society and create their own interpretations based on individual beliefs. With these ongoing objectives, I plan to educate children in multiculturalism and teach them how to navigate the complex world we live in.
Just as my philosophy for teaching shifted over time, I recognize the importance of evolving as an educator in the context of our current society. During a time of teaching digital natives, it is essential that I access digital platforms and apply new technologies in my instruction. I have learned how to utilize resources such as Padlet and Flipgrid which can be implemented when teaching any subject area to diverse learners. In using appropriate technology, students will be able to access ideas, information, and resources, and use digital tools for communication, collaboration, and presentation.
Another goal of mine is to gain a deeper understanding of the issues of privilege, power, and oppression in the educational context. I have been informed on issues of literacy instruction and policies, explored multicultural education, and examined the implications of diversity and students with disabilities. These experiences brought attention to the importance of the unique social dynamics of ethnic, racial, gender, ability, sexuality, religious, and socioeconomic differences in the education of children. By acknowledging the inequalities within the educational system and making appropriate changes, my hope is to make each student feel valued and empowered.
I have been able to reflect on educational inquiry which inspired my ambitions to continue understanding how information and human experiences shape our views of the world. Each person has knowledge based on different experiences and insight, but students are often told what to think and how to operate in the world as told by adults. I strive to give my students the opportunity to share knowledge, analyze information, and cultivate an environment where they learn multiple perspectives of society and create their own interpretations based on individual beliefs. With these ongoing objectives, I plan to educate children in multiculturalism and teach them how to navigate the complex world we live in.