My Teaching Philosophy

By: Denelle Cramer

Some of the most influential people in my life have been educators. My understanding of social
interaction, appropriate behavior, respect, accountability, knowledge and self-determination has, in a
large part, come from the teachers in my life. My teaching philosophy, in modest terms, is to educate
children as if I were one of the most crucial influences of their lifetime.
I intend for my classroom environment to be a nebula for the development of self-actualization
in my students, as well as respect for others. With the building of a students confidence, comes the
innate ability and inclination to generate ideas and to share those ideas with others. I intend to nurture
an environment of collaborative learning, which in turn cultivates respect for ones own creativity and
point of view, as well as those of others.
By modeling appropriate behavior, and by holding each student accountable to the same standards, I
aim to create a safe environment, for all students, in which they can feel free to express themselves in a
way that is conducive to learning. Strategies that I intend to implement include behavior contracts and
reward incentives, for example. It is my philosophy that when students understand what is expected of
them, and they understand the boundaries that are in place, they can become more focused on the
adventure of learning.
I believe that every child has the ability and the desire to learn and the propensity to be inspired. I will
endeavor to create lesson plans that are creative and intriguing, and ones that feed the students
imaginations and motivate their quest for knowledge. Many teachers have done that for me in my life. It
is my belief that a single teacher can, and is called to, make the most of the time they are given to
influence a child in a productive and meaningful way. I will strive to be that teacher.
Recognizing the unique nature and the distinctive learning styles of my students is also an important
part of my teaching philosophy. Every child has the ability to learn, especially when their learning style is
recognized, validated and incorporated into lesson plans. Including manipulatives, music and art, and
even trips into nature, can make a lesson more meaningful for students. It is my desire to craft lessons
that are inventive and resourceful, and ones that are meaningful to all types of learners.
It is my most valued aspiration to be an effective, caring, considerate, and competent teacher. I cannot
wait for the opportunity.