Teaching Philosophy

The teacher is the role model for the relationships built in the classroom. With strong
relationships comes strong learners who trust one another and help one another to think beyond
the four wall of a classroom. Every student can learn and with the help of the teacher and their
peers every student can succeed. Not only are the students learning from the teacher but the
teacher is learning from the students.

Students will be autonomous learners in the classroom. Lessons will be focused on

students working and collaborating together. A focus will be placed on structured discussion
based learning where the students have the power to control their learning. The teacher in this
setting will be the facilitator rather than the instructor; the teacher will keep the students on track
but not consume the discussion. Students will also have flexible seating arrangements. They will
not sit in rows, but in groups, in a circle, or in any other seating arrangement works best for their
learning. This is used as a way to promote relationships and a social, collaborative learning
environment.

The classroom will be noisy. Students will engage in structured noise, such as dialogue,
discussion, talk, and collaboration. The classroom runs on students collaborating and sharing
ideas in meaningful ways. In a learning environment like this, there is an understanding that
students may veer to off-task talking, but they will be steered back into discussion and when
possible the teacher will pull their off-task discussion into the class conversation. The students
will work together to create the expectations of the classroom along with the teachers own
expectation of respect and setting high expectations of what can be achieved. The teachers role
is then to guide the students and help them reach these expectations.

With high expectations of student achievement and a learning environment built on

collaboration, the teacher must be able to manage all points of view and make the conversation
meaningful for the students. The teacher understands there are many differences among students
in any classroom. But, it is their job to play to the similarities among students and to create an
environment where every student experience is valued without infringing on the rights of other
students. At the same time students will respect one another in all aspects of their similarities and
differences to work cooperatively together no matter their differences. As the facilitator of the
classroom it will be understood that the students have a voice in the classroom and will have the
opportunity to exercise that voice in roles that allow for their success and the success of the class.
In a high school English classroom this looks like giving students the opportunity to lead
discussions based on their interests playing both the role of the learner and facilitator.

If students developed in the environment I have established they would take control of
their learning and become autonomous learners. They will recognize their similarities and
differences among their peers and will not let those differences divide them, but will instead
recognize the differences as a way to achieve a higher level of empathy. Students would grow
not only as scholars, but also as global citizens.