Gwen Moravec

EDUC 3320-080
Vision Statement

Gwen Moravec
EDUC 3320-080
Vision Statement
Tarleton State
Fall 2015

Gwen Moravec
EDUC 3320-080
Vision Statement

Every child deserves a champion an adult who will never give up on them, who understands
the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.
-Rita Pierson
Why I want to teach: Everyone has gotten to where they are in life because they had
teachers. By definition, a teacher is someone who gives instruction and communicates skills. The
lives most impacted by teachers are those of our children, thus our future. Communities and the
fate of our nation lie in the hands of our children. Therefore, I see teaching as one of the best
ways I can help create a greater tomorrow. My decision to become a teacher was not made
lightly. I have been a successful realtor in Fort Worth for many years. When my eldest daughter
began kindergarten 6 years ago, I became a substitute teacher. This was simply because I had a
hard time letting go. Who knew I would fall in love with the classroom? I became a preferred
substitute at several elementary schools and a tutor in both junior high and high school
classrooms. I know that becoming a teacher is my calling. I believe that every child can learn. I
think this, along with my strong Christian beliefs, is why I would like to teach students with
special needs. My vision is to work collaboratively with teachers, staff, and administrators to
create an enriched learning community where all students are valued as individuals and
encouraged to strive to do their best.
How I will teach: A classroom should be an active place. Many teachers have found that
programs including movement help learners with special needs (Jensen, 2008). I will encourage
students to move around and interact with me and each other. Teaching strategies will be varied
and subjects will be taught with enthusiasm in order to motivate each student. If a student needs
assistance, they will be invited to ask me or any of their fellow classmates. If they have personal

Gwen Moravec
EDUC 3320-080
Vision Statement

or direct knowledge of a lesson, they will be provided with an opportunity to teach us all. In my
future classroom, students will be encouraged to explore, ask questions, and bring any previous
knowledge or understanding into our room.
Children learn best through cooperative learning practices (Kagan, 2009). Team building
allows students to foster tolerance and grow trust in other students. These groups develop
leadership skills and create meaningful opportunities to learn. Teaching strategies must be varied
and subjects taught with enthusiasm in order to motivate interest in subject matter. Each lesson I
create will accommodate several learning styles. Whenever possible, I will let my students know
how I feel about any given subject. I will use humor and personal stories whenever appropriate.
By giving students meaning for what they are learning and motivate them with the things that
interest them, I will be a successful teacher.
What I will teach: Some children advance more than others in different ways, but all
children deserve love and should be treated with respect and with an open heart. It is important
to me that my students, as well as their parents, other teachers, administrators, and even the
community, see me as someone they can approach, who will be always be fair and
nondiscriminatory. Special education will be my focus. Each child with exceptionalities is
unique. Teaching well means that I will create lesson-appropriate but exciting ways to connect
with my students. A child should never be devalued by any teachers words or actions. Instead,
respect needs to be modeled and reciprocated. Tolerance and acceptance of many things, such as
race, culture, religion, and varied student abilities is often initiated in the early childhood
classrooms. One approach to successfully accomplishing goals of students with special needs
will be collaboration with parents and other professionals, such as a resource teacher, school

Gwen Moravec
EDUC 3320-080
Vision Statement

psychologist, and physical therapists (Parkay, 2013). Above all, children will feel safe and cared
for in my classroom.

Gwen Moravec
EDUC 3320-080
Vision Statement

References

Jensen, E. (2005). Teaching with the brain in mind (2nd ed.). Alexandria, Va.: Association for
Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Kagan, S., & Kagan, M. (2009). Cooperative learning. San Juan Capistrano, CA: Kagan
Cooperative Learning.

Parkay, F., & Stanford, B. (2013). Addressing Learners' Individual Needs. In Becoming a
Teacher (9th ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.