STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

Statement of Informed Beliefs Essay

Martha Bernabe
Carol Billing
EDUC 204 Families, Communities, & Culture
Spring 2014

Statement of Informed Beliefs

Introduction
Each persons mind is a different world, and each childs mind is a whole new world that
will form, in great part, by being a student. As teachers, we will be on the lead of a great
responsibility with each one of our students, with their parents, with society, and with our
teaching profession. Throughout my educational path I have learned to appreciate the similarities
and embrace the differences of each student; however, when these differences interfere with the
learning process, as a teacher, I will be in charge of providing the best support and identifying
details that need to be noticed. In this essay, I will explain the different strategies, techniques,
and considerations when addressing the differences in my classroom and will discuss them in the
next following sections; all students can learn, teachers expectations, students social ecology
theory, cultural diversity instruction, and curriculum for all learners.
All Students Can Learn

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Every student is different, since each one of them comes from a different background it
seems like they all come from different worlds. As students, they will all be in the classroom for
the same reason, to learn. Each one of those little faces will have their small hands filled with
many feelings, emotions, values, and ideas; however, they will all come with one thing in
common, even if it is hard to tell, they will all come to class eager to learn. How they will learn
is the main emphasis. Like Roberta M. Berns mentions in the textbook, Children have
different ways they learn best, and teachers have different ways they teach best. Every
person is different and the ways of learning and retaining information differs from one another.
Roberta Berns also mentions, Some children learn more effectively by observation,
modeling, and apprenticeship rather than through verbal instruction. As soon as the
students enter the classroom though, it is the teacher who takes a huge part in how to help and
guide the students in their learning process in the ways it will be required.
The interest from the teacher will be seen in the students progress. As a teacher, it is
almost a fact that the students will have all the guide and caring throughout the process. Even
though the teacher is the main responsible for what it is learned in class, it will also be the job of
the teacher to reach his/her students in different ways and if it is necessary look above and
beyond the classroom. When a child needs special attention or special instructions, it will be the
teacher who will reach outside the classroom, maybe into the principals office, the parents, or
the different programs and organizations within the school and/or the district.
Teachers Expectations
Teachers are the role models in the classroom. They are in charge of guiding the whole
class towards success. The teachers main goal is for all his or her students to learn. Every
teacher attempts for excellence and excellence is only reached through hard work. For every
teacher there are high expectations; therefore, every teacher will have high expectations for his
or her students as well. One important key in order to influence the ability to learn is motivation.

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When a teacher motivates his or her students to be the best they can be, then the students know
what is expected from them and, as human beings, will strive to become better in those learning
aspects. Providing a good atmosphere in class and maintain a learning environment will
provide students the best setting for their learning process.
As the textbook describes on page 198, the purpose and goals for education is to gain
the skills and knowledge needed in order to become self-sufficient and to participate in an
effective way in society. There are different aspects to look at when talking about the goals of
education raking from the personal level to societal level. A person goes to school and gets
educated in order to have a better future which is more personal; however, the personal decisions
regarding education will also affect the society as a whole. The best for society will be having
educated citizens who can cooperate in the best possible way to the well-being of the community
as a whole. In an attempt to have more educated citizens, society has implemented the school
systems and set educational goals. It is like a circle path, society influences and sets goals for
teachers, teachers influence and set goals for students, and students set their educational goals in
order to meet the teachers expectations and be a contributing member of society.
Although the expectations for me as the teacher will be more based on a curriculum and a
lesson plan, meeting these expectations cannot be done if in my classroom I have no behavior
and moral expectations for my students and myself. In order to have a better class environment
and be able to develop a good character and moral I will likely refer to Lawrence Kohlbergs
stages of moral development.
Students Social Ecology Theory
Connecting learning to a students social ecology is important in order to reach learning
in the best possible ways. The ecology of a persons social groups will help enhance the learning
and growth process in different ways than the rest of our peers. Although each person can have
different ecology, they all can be similar in some other ways and they all start since the moment

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one is born. Learning is a non-stopping process that begins as we are born and it is as natural as
our human development.
By making those connections between ones social ecology and what is being learned,
students are able to be successful in school and in other aspects of life. For example, in chapter
seven of our textbook it explains the importance of the ecology of peer groups and how
important they are. Peer groups are significant socializers, contributing beyond the influence
of family and school because: they satisfy certain belonging needs, they are often preferred
to other socializing agents, and they influence not only social development, but cognitive
and psychological development as well.
Throughout the semester we have also discussed the importance of society and its groups
have an impact on a childs learning. Although family is considered to be the main agent of
socialization, there are a number of other social groups to which one belongs. Community and
culture also play an important role on the learning process of a child. Each one of these groups
has a different set of values, traditions, expectations, rules, beliefs, and other aspects that affect
and influence their members lives. In the very first chapter of our textbook, Roberta introduces
the Bioecological Model of Human Development which includes the different ecologies and
social groups that play a role in peoples learning and socialization. The childs development is
affected in each of the aforementioned settings not only by the childs relationships with
other in the family, school, peer group, or community, but also by interactions about
members of the particular microsystem. Along with this, in understanding the aims of
socialization I can base my observations of socialization in class with Eriksons stages of
psychosocial development which is based on the definition of self-concept.
Cultural Diversity Instruction
When I become a teacher and am in charge of a group of students, I will encourage my
class to build on cultural pluralism. I am aware that in a general ed. classroom there will be

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students from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and with different native languages. In my
teacher role I will have the ability of assigning activities to my students that will allow them to
appreciate and understand the various cultures and coexisting in society of different
languages, religious beliefs, and lifestyles. I do not necessarily intend to create a melting pot in
my classroom because I have no right to blend neither their cultures nor their beliefs. However, I
would like to create an environment of respect towards the cultures of their classmates. For this, I
would do an introduction activity at the beginning of a school year which would be based on
describing who we are and a bit of our culture and where we come from. Teach my students that
all cultures are unique and deserve admiration and respect in some ways. Also, motivate them to
embrace differences among us.
The U. S. country is more recognized as a melting pot; although, I feel like there is still a
cultural assimilation that has to take place among the minorities when they settle in this
country. Cultural Assimilation is the process whereby a minority cultural group takes on the
characteristics of the majority cultural group. One example of this is learning the official
language of the country; which I will also be part of reinforcing in my classroom because I am
sure that not all of my students first language will be English. As a teacher I will share Elwood
C. Cubberley, and try to encourage my nonnative English speaker students to practice it in class
as much as they can.
Curriculum for all Learners
Throughout my education experience, and with the experience that Ive so far gained
from school and school related activities, I have seen a number of different ways that teachers
have to plan, deliver, and assess their lessons. Although it is very true that each teacher is unique
and that each teacher also has his or her very own ways of teaching, it is important that we, as
teachers, learn from one another. I think that my teaching style will be a combination from what I
remember of the best teachers I had, the idea that I have of a perfect teacher, the expectations that

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I have for myself and my students, and finally the expectations that are set for me as the teacher.
My planning will be constantly modified; at the beginning of the semester, the season, or the
year I might have a certain way of doing it and then adapt it and make the necessary changes to
meet my students needs. I believe that the best planning will come from knowing my
expectations and knowing my students.
The way of delivering my lessons will also depend mainly on these two factors, the
expectations and the students. Each student has a different learning style, maybe a behavior, or
perhaps an IEP; therefore, the way in which I deliver my lessons will play a big role in their
learning. Regardless of the different circumstances and situations though, I would like to
integrate the universal design in my classroom. When assessing my students, I would like to
incorporate different aspects, not only testing or quizzing them although these are important
assessing methods. It is also important to see what the students are capable of doing with what
they have learned, maybe seeing them interact and help one another about the specific subject or
matter. Assessing my students will guide me on my planning too because I will know what needs
to be included and which strategies work well. On assessing it is important that I assess myself
too and not just my students. Assessing myself will help me improve my lessons and learn from
my attainments and my mistakes. This will also be my reflection time to learn as a teacher.
Improvement and constant learning is what I will aim for, for myself as well as for my students.
By putting in practice what my students and I learn throughout the year I will make sure that we
are improving.
For my conclusion, I cannot let the differences among my students to be a turndown in
my job. Whatever these differences may be, embracing these differences and leading them to
positive outcomes will make everyone in my class a little better. It is noting the similarities and

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the understanding the differences that will make me be a learning teacher throughout my
teaching profession and therefore become a better educator each day.
References
Berns, R.M. (2006). Child, Family, School, Community: Socialization and support (8th ed.)
Wadsworth.