Vanessa Custard

TEACHING & LEARNING STATEMENT

Theoretical Framework
My philosophy of teaching will be based upon both constructivism and
progressivism. The constructivism framework focus is to allow the learner to create and
build upon their own education through personal experience and interaction. Whereas
progressivism focuses more on progression over time, individuality, and change. The use
of both of these philosophies will allow my students to experiment and explore new ideas
and concept that connect to prior knowledge. Constructivism and progressivism will be the
framework for how I will teach, assess, organize and manage my classroom and students,
overall preparing them for the real world beyond the classroom.
The use of these frameworks combines will work well together in meeting one
common goal. The organization of my classroom will be very functional to create a
learning environment that promotes collaborative learning and class discussion. I will
utilize tables instead of individual desk, however if table are unavailable I will arrange the
provided desk into table. Each student will be assigned a seat from which my seating chart
will be constructed and after each child is given their seat, I will give them the opportunity
to raise any concerns they may have with their seating arrangements as well as explain why
they do or dont like the arrangement. There will also be a various changes in the seating
chart throughout the semester based on the current lesson or project. This will help allow
students the opportunity to develop and relate new ideas and experiences from multiple
peer. After, each seating change student will again be given the opportunity to state rather
they do or dont like their seating arrangement and give reasons why. This allow me to

maintain control over my classroom while still allowing the classroom to remain student
centered.
My teaching style with lean more towards constructivism, but still will include
progressivism. At the beginning of the semester all of my students will be given a syllabus
which will explain my rules, expectations, and the work they will be expected to learn.
While going over what I expect of them as students they will be able to give any
suggestions or ideas toward what they think should be deleted or added to the syllabus. We
will then, as a class collectively decide rather these things should be implemented into the
class! Although these things will be considered, I want my students to understand that the
implementation of their ideas are experiment-based and the continuation of these
adjustments will be contingent based on the overall classs behavior and achievements. For
example, a student may decide that the class should only have to turn in homework once a
week rather than daily! If I notice that when students turn their homework in at the end of
the week many students are not completing the homework or they are not passing the
quizzes, I will then require that homework is turned in daily again.
I also want my student to be able to take prior knowledge and make connections to
develop new concepts and ideas. In the beginning of class, I will review the lesson from the
previous class, and introduce the new lesson with student discuss what they already know
about the new lesson and in what instance they learned about this. The necessary key
elements, ideas and concepts will be defined and created from the students and I will guide
the reference to these through the lessons. My students will also be allowed to ask
questions, and or dispute the idea or concept being taught. I think this will be helpful
because allowing the student to question what they are learning help me to decide where

my guided exploration should begin and progress throughout my teaching. In my class all
work is to shown with supported evidence and explanations! This ensures that student
connects the relevance of experience to what it is being learned. Every week my student
will be given a quiz! This helps me make sure that the student is making progress over time
and learning remains continuous. Assessing the quizzes weekly allows me to reflect on
each individual students progress, and determine how much to challenge my students
learning.
Effective Urban Educator who is Reflective
I understand that each student learns and progress differently at their own
pace-which is where I will take a more progressive approach! At the beginning of the
semester my class will complete an assignment which allows me to understand where each
of my students stand academically. Then I can create lesson plans and assessment to meet
their needs, while still including the new skills to help them reach that next level. I will
greatly promote group activity, projects, and discussion to encourage peer to peer
interaction and expose student to multiple point of views on the same ideas so that they
have a larger foundation of knowledge to grow from!
My most recent professional development experience has been sixty hours at my
service learning site, Catherine Ferguson Academy, where I tutored teen mother! After
working with these young ladies, I realized that my weakness is growing too attached to the
students. I found myself wanting to become too involved with these girls circumstance and
situation-all because I see potential in them. Currently, I am completing my pre-student
teaching at University Prep Science and Math Middle School and this experience is
allowing me to see what to do and what not to do as an effective teacher. It was very

discouraging as a future teacher to see students not interested in learning! Although this is
true I have not been turned away from becoming a teacher and this experience has helped
me to realize that I am passionate, optimistic about teaching-which I consider a strength.
Another strength I possess is my willingness to consider ideas and create and try new ideas.
Effective Urban Educator who is Innovative
A highly qualified teacher is defined as someone who holds a bachelors degree
from a four year institution, is state certified, and proves themselves to be competent in the
core subject they plan to teach. Yes, these things are essential to becoming a teacher, but
there are so many more factors that makes a teacher highly qualified. A highly qualified
teacher is an effective teacher, and an effective teacher is an innovative and reflective
teacher! A highly qualified teacher is constantly learning new things and utilizing those
new ideas while understanding that students can and should be the sole processor of
knowledge. When I become a teacher, using my framework of teaching effective will result
in both my students and I reflecting over what can be done to improve and build and then
taking action to create a more dynamic perspective. There are several things new things
from a technological viewpoint that I want to try in the classroom. These things expand
from discussion boards online, Remind 101, and Class DOJO! I believe that all groups of
students are different, so different approached and methods are necessary to change from
year, day, or class period! Therefore, I am open to trying all new things in order to reach
my students and promote learning!
Effective Urban Educator who is committed to Diversity
Another huge factor in becoming an effective teacher is being a teacher that
includes diversity in the classroom. Including Diversity in the classroom, not only helps the

student-teacher relationship, but also builds a student-student relationship. If students were

more aware about different cultures, sexual orientation, or abilities they would respect their
differences and work together. One way a teacher could include diversity in the classroom,
is every week allow a student to bring in music from their cultural background. This music
could be listened to while they do their bell work, or could be playing as the student entered
the room. Another way to include diversity is to refer to different to monetary values from
the related culture in the classroom to help compare money to other cultures. Even
allowing the students to introduce themselves (telling their names, ages and where they
from) in the beginning of the semester will help the students familiarize themselves with
diversity. Going back to constructivism and progressivism, diversity is a value that is
needed to be for students to collaborate and interact with their peers, accepting everyones
individuality. Especially here in the Unites States, where there is a melting pot of religions,
cultures, classes, culture and sexual orientation, being able to adapt and change around
diversity is a must!
Earlier in the paper I mentioned how, I would really focus on how I assess
my students. I want to go back to that because I cant stress enough how important it is to
be able to commit to you ways of teaching while reflecting and leaving room for
adjustment. Yes, I am a firm believer that students are capable of learning new ideas
through connections of what they have been through, but I also understand that each
individual child is different, in respects to how they learn. So, even if I explain a new
concept ten time, the student may never get it, if I explain it the same. My students could do
the best work in class, but just dont test well! Maybe I could come up with other formative
and summative assessments to go along with my quizzes and finals. Throughout the

semester I will develop activities and field trips that create new experiences for my
students to further build from. Instead of just basing my assessment on how well the child
does on that final, I could assign a big project that has to be done by the finals date. This
will offer an alternative method for students to complete an assignment to be summative
assessed promoting both my progressive and constructive framework of developing
knowledge.
By implementing the philosophies of constructivism and progressivism into how I
teach, manage, assess, and organize my classroom and student I believe I will successful at
helping my students achieve academically. Through innovation, reflection of myself and
students, and including diversity my classroom, I will not only help my student achieve
academically but I will help mold a student with the basic skills and values needed to
question and analyze change, while still being a upstanding citizens that can adapt and
interact in the real world!