K Coker

Vision Statement 1

The following is an assignment regarding my personal

pedagogy. It contains evidence of who I am as a teacher,
as well as why I feel being that way is the best for my
students.
Vision Statement
Educators have the opportunity to effect the lives of so many individuals. A teacher has
the opportunity to change each individual life that comes into their classroom. As an educator, I
will be that change for my students. Rick Lavoie once stated, Fair does not mean that every
child gets the same treatment, but that every child gets what he or she need (Lavoie, n.d.). I
believe this statement to be very applicable to the education field. To ensure the success of
students, the teacher must use varied approaches to learning. Student success is dependent upon
differentiated instructional strategies and activities that are impactful for all types of learners. My
experience with children has prepared me to focus on teaching all individuals, using brain based
learning to create equity in excellence for all learners (Tarleton Educator Handbook). I will
also adhere to the Code of Ethics for Texas educators. All students information shall remain
confidential, because trust is a major aspect to student success in a classroom. I will ensure that
all safety needs be met so that all learners feel safe emotionally and physically. Lastly, I will use
cooperative learning principles within my classroom. This will help with regard to the four major
crisis seen in our education society and to provide the students with the tools needed to succeed
both in my classroom and in life.
I will use brain based learning strategies to impact student success in my classroom. I will
use the seven critical factors of learning to create a class environment that is conductive to
student success. Of these seven factors, assuring that my students emotional state needs are met
is the one I consider foundational to learning. My classroom will be an environment of security.

K Coker
Vision Statement 2
If students do not feel safe, they will shut down their brain and be unable to learn. I will pledge
to my students a safe environment emotionally, socially, and physically. We will use mistakes as
opportunities for growth, rather than disappointment. According to Jensen, emotions have an
effect on many areas of the brain (Jensen, 2005). The focus on emotional needs will not only
prepare my students for learning, but will also feed their brain.
I will use cooperative learning as my main tool for teaching. Cooperative learning
provides a rich curriculum that cannot be acquired by exclusive use of direct instruction
(Kagan, 2009). This exceptional strategy also allows for success of all learners. Cooperative
learning incorporates audio, visual, kinesthetic, as well as social learning. Students of all abilities
have been shown to grow using these strategies. The research shows that team structures are
critical to student success. I will use these structures to have students moving and to give brain
breaks. I will endeavor to create and maintain a positive learning environment incorporating
these strategies for my students.
Lastly, I believe it is most important to assure success of all students regardless of their
social, economic, academic, or any other varying background. According to the third proficiency
in the Texas teacher proficiencies, a teacher must view differences as opportunities for learning
(Jensen, 2005). It is crucial that all learners in your class have an equal opportunity to excel, and
I will provide the opportunity for all learners to do just that. In my classroom, all students will
be considered equals; no student is better than any other, and they will be treated so.
Through Kagan structures and teaching with the brain in mind, all learners will have an
equal opportunity for success. I will be the teacher that gives every student a chance, voice, and
skills to excel. I will strive for the best, and my students will set their expectations high as well.
We will work as teams and support one another. We will encourage learning in all aspects. My

K Coker
Vision Statement 3
classroom will be an environment of growth, and I look forward to watching my future students
each year take the skills I have instilled in them. Through my influence and teaching strategies, I
will be the chance I wish to see in the world (Ghandi).

K Coker
Vision Statement 4

Bibliography
Ghandi, M. (n.d.). Goodreads Quotes. Retrieved October 20, 2015, from Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/24499-be-the-change-that-you-wish-to-see-in-the
Jensen, E. (2005). Teaching with the Brain in Mind. Alexandria: Association for Supervision and
Curriculum development.
Kagan, S. (2009). Cooperative Learning. San Clamente: Kagan Publishing.
Lavoie, R. (n.d.). Richard Lavoie. Retrieved October 20, 2015, from Stuff for Educators:
http://stuff4educators.com/index.php?p=1_48_Richard-Lavoie
Tarleton Educator Handbook. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2015, from Tarleton State
University: http://www.tarleton.edu/eps/TEP/documents/Handbook.pdf