Lexie Kurovski September 11, 2013 Teacher Beliefs Statement All students learn in different ways, which complicates

the educational classroom for most teachers. The American classroom needs to focus on student-centered learning and group work; it needs to prepare students for their futures, by teaching them relationship skills, cultural and social norms, critical thinking and creativity. As a teacher, I need to create the best learning environment so that all of my students (despite their learning capabilities) can thrive in each of these areas. I believe students construct meaning by identifying similarities between new information and prior knowledge. Therefore, I will do my best to provide concrete and relatable material for my students. For example, if I create a lesson plan on action verbs, I may have my students go out on the playground, identify their favorite actions, and place those action verbs into sentences. I will also incorporate a lot of group work throughout my lessons, because I believe that students can learn a lot from each other. When students work together, they gain multiple perspectives on any given topic. They also can answer questions together, allowing them to take charge of their own learning rather than relying on the teacher alone. Like Vygotsky, I believe the content I teach needs to be challenging, but not so challenging that students cannot be successful. I plan on assigning tasks they can only do with the help of others, but over time, guide them to a point where they can complete the tasks on their own. For example, I will use graphic organizers, T-charts, workshops and other scaffolding techniques to help students with their writing assignments. I also plan on using formative assessments to gather data about my students so that I can continuously assess their growth and needs. I yearn to reach each of my students in every class through differentiated instruction. All students have different learning styles that I need to adhere to. The main learning styles comprise of visual, auditory and kinesthetic techniques, all of which will be woven throughout my lessons. I will use combinations of tools such as speeches, video clips, Powerpoints, demonstrations, and projects to teach my content; thus, all students will be provided the same content, but in ways that are more customized to their specific learning styles. In addition, I will use both extrinsic and intrinsic motivators, combined with an energized personality in order to encourage my students to put their thinking caps on each and every time they come into my classroom. Although I feel that I am good motivator overall, I know that my students growth relies heavily on their their beliefs as to what they can and cannot do as individuals. In order to help my students improve their self-efficacy, I plan to model strategies for success in assignments as well as strategies for overcoming the obstacles that may surface with assignments. I need to make

sure that I provide opportunities for success so that students truly believe they can accomplish any task I give them. I can do this by simply believing in them myself. If students recognize the faith I have in them, I am sure they will find the faith in themselves. When students come to class each day, the teacher needs to provide them with the best tools to grow both in their learning and as individuals. I believe my teaching strategies will best fulfill the needs of my students. I know my beliefs will guide me in delivering students with intellectual and social tools that will not only earn them success in the classroom but in all their future endeavors.