Kayla Smith

Dr. Ellis

EDUC 2301.200

October 9, 2017

Philosophy of Teaching

Teaching is the greatest, most important, profession in the world, or least in my opinion it

is. If we did not have teachers, the world would not have preachers, doctors, lawyers, police

officers, business owners, or any other professions. Everything stems from teachers and teaching.

I whole-heartedly believe curriculum is an important part of teaching. If we did not have

some type of curriculum, we would not know what to teach, how to teach or when to teach it. I

do not believe that curriculum is perfect, no matter what it may be. I somewhat believe it is

developed to help each learner succeed. I think the creators of different curriculums intend on

each learner grasping their way of teaching, but no two learners are exactly the same. Even when

following curriculum in the classroom, I believe I will need to teach different ways so that each

of my students grasp my concept and are able to succeed.

I firmly believe the purpose of education is to equip our students with the knowledge they

need to become successful in life. I can teach out of text books all day long, but there are other

ways to present the lesson. My favorite way to teach is a hands-on approach. For example, I can

read a textbook about volcanoes to my students day after day, but until they have watched a

volcano erupt, smelled the smells, felt the lava, they arent going to get the full learning

experience. If I have my students help me build the volcano and make it erupt, they will more
likely remember it for years to come. I remember when I was a sophomore in high school. My

Anatomy and Physiology teacher, Mr. Bush, was teaching us about a frogs organs. I did not

fully grasp what he was trying to teach me, until I actually cut into the frog. He told us the frog

would have a smooth stomach, I could imagine it in my mind, but I really understood once I

touched it myself. He told us once we cut the frog open, we would smell horrible smells. There is

no way to describe the smell, but to say horrendous. I can still smell it burning my nostrils.

I have not been able to pintpoint just one role as an educator, there are numerous roles.

They are learning everything I can about my students, making learning an enjoyable experience,

making sure each student has a clear understanding of the materials taught to succeed, and

making sure my students know they are loved and cared for. When my brother was in second

grade, his teacher wanted to put him back in first grade. She was persistent when talking to my

parents, that my brother was immature. My parents knew maturity was not playing a role in his

behavior nor his grades. They took him to Scottish Rite Hospital to be tested for disabilities. He

was diagnosed with Dyslexia. I want to be a teacher, so that I can pay attention to every aspect of

my students, to help mold them into the human being they are supposed to be.

I will reach the wide diversity of children I will have in my classroom by figuring out the

different learning styles of each student and planning my lessons accordingly. I will teach the

same lesson multiple times and multiple ways, if that is what it takes to reach each student. I

know not all of my students will be hands-on learners. Even though that is my teaching style of

choice, I will learn what my students need, rather than what I want to do. After all, teaching is all

about the students. They always come first.

I have noticed all children come from different home lives. They all have different types

of parents: caring, absent, violent, and so on. The type home life a child comes from shapes them
into the person they are. This influences the way they learn. All children learn differently, no two

children are the same. I will do the absolutely best job I can to make sure my students know they

are loved in my classroom. I want my students to always know Mrs. Smith loves them, no matter

what their behavior is, no matter what their diagnosis is, no matter what goes on at home, I want

them to know in my classroom they are loved and important.

Balancing the individual needs of each learner and the needs of the entire class, can be

tricky. As an educator, I will do everything it takes to make it work. I will teach the lesson whole

group, break down into small groups to reteach if I need to, or even have one-on-one lessons if

needed. In my classroom, I will have a whole group lesson, then break down into small, rotating,

groups. We will have different activities to ensure that my students get everything they need out

of a specific lesson.

My goals for my students will be to succeed, to try their hardest at all times, to get an

adequate understanding of the materials I teach, and to be comfortable enough in my classroom

to come to me if they need help. As I said above, I want my students to know they are important

in my classroom. I want them to know they are able to come to me when they need help, whether

it be with academic questions, if someone is bothering them or is something is going on at home.

It is important to me that my students know their worth.

Like I said, teaching is the most important profession I could ever choose. I do not take it

lightly. Teaching molds our future generations. Everyone has one teacher that comes to their

mind when they are asked, Who was your favorite teacher in school? I want to be that teacher

to my students. Like I said earlier, I want the students to smell the horrid smells, feel the textures,

I do not want them to have to take my word for what they are learning. I want them to have a

hands on, unforgettable, experience.