Mary-Kate Michels

Dr. Schroeder
EDU 360
Philosophy of Education
My philosophy of education revolves around the idea that every student should have the
opportunity to succeed to the best of his or her ability. It is the duty of the teacher to provide the
necessary means for a student to succeed in an educational environment. In my personal
experience as a student, I have found that the teachers who took the extra time to assist their
students in the educational process were the ones who made a lasting impression. It was these
educators who helped form my outlook on teaching and have inspired me to become a patient,
open-minded, and responsive teacher.
I believe that in order for a students to reach their full academic potential, the learning
environment they are immersed in must be safe, respectful, and free of judgement. My classroom
would be composed of students from different cultures collaborating with one another in a polite
manner. I wish to understand the cultures of my students and to respect said cultures both in and
out of the classroom environment, which includes interactions with parents and family members.
Communication and collaboration will be key components in developing a culturally responsive
classroom. Students in my class will feel comfortable enough to share their cultural heritages and
traditions with fellow classmates, and students will learn respectful behaviors.
As a teacher of mathematics, I wish to open the minds of students to the real world
functions of mathematical concepts. More often than not, students seem to struggle with math; it
is my goal to give students a reason to appreciate mathematical processes and the solutions

derived from these processes. I will utilize the Common Core State Standards in an educational
manner that is beneficial to all students. Literacy skills will be incorporated in a mathematical
setting through problem solving techniques and short response questions. Communicating across
the curriculum will be a key component in the creating of lesson plans and activities for students.
The use of technology will be a crucial part of my lessons as both a mathematics and special
education teacher. Technology will be used as a learning tool for students who are visual, or
auditory learners, as well as for students who exhibit certain learning disabilities. SMART
technology and interactive lessons will be utilized in my classroom, as well as video motivators
and media tools.
A key component to my educational philosophy is the opportunity for each student to
succeed to the best of his or her ability. As a special educator, I wish to assist students with
disabilities in ways that are most beneficial to them. I tend to align myself with the philosophy of
John Dewey with the belief that education should focus on the entirety of a student. Dewey once
said, To find out what one is fitted to do, and to secure an opportunity to do it, is the key to
happiness. It is my goal as a special educator to give exceptional students the necessary tools
needed to succeed in life and find happiness. I encourage parent involvement and interaction as
much as possible and look forward to collaborating with parents, mentors, and aids, in order to
give a child the best education possible. As a reflective educator, I will analyze the
responsiveness of students to material that is presented in class and make modifications to the
curriculum where needed. I wish to create a learning environment that is engaging to students of
all ability levels, giving students of higher mastery level more enrichment activities while giving
students of lower levels the necessary extra assistance they need to succeed.

My goal as a teacher is to transform the minds of young people. I wish for students to not
only discover the world of mathematics, but to discover themselves.