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Kyra Stokes
EDUC 220
Fall 2018
STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS 2
As I sit here, just months away from getting my Associates Degree in Elementary
Education, I can’t help but think about how close I am to really having my own
classroom. Until now, I didn’t think I was ever going to be ready. There are many things I
have learned and will take with me into my classroom. I am going to discuss a few
important categories and some strategies I have to becoming a successful educator; all
students can learn, teacher’s expectations, student’s social ecology theory, cultural
Informed Beliefs
Like most people, my beliefs were created as I was growing up. I guess you could
say I kind of inherited them. According to our textbook Child, Family, School,
process called identification, children will begin to assume the attitudes and beliefs that
their parents do (pg. 427). I adopted the same beliefs my parents had when I was
younger, because that is all I knew. As I grew up I started adopting beliefs from others
around me such as my friends and teachers. Now, I would have to say the majority of my
beliefs come from my job. Working as the Youth Mentor in our small town middle
school has change my view of things. Seeing things first hand gives me a new
perspective.
Every student learns differently, but they all have the ability to learn. Berns
(2016) states, “The student comes to school with a unique combination of family and
cultural background, learning styles, abilities, motives, and interests,” (pg. 240). Students
are unique and all learn at their own pace. One may excel in math, but struggle
STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS 3
tremendously in reading. Some students may shut down or have extreme behaviors when
they do not understand a task, while others ask questions. There are always going to be
them. We need to find out what we can do to help them learn at their fullest potential.
text to the child who struggles in reading, setting up a reward system, or creating a
strategy help a student verbally express when they need more help. According to the
National Center for Education Statistics (2018) the number of special education students
continues to increase. They state, “From school year 2000-01 through 2004-05 the
number of students ages 3-21 who receive special education services increased from 6.3
million, or 13% of total public school enrollment, to 6.7 million or 14% of total public
school enrollment.” This research leads me to believe every class will have a student that
need to be made or behavioral issues that may arise. I will seek information from
previous teachers on successful strategies. I will provide desk bands for those who
struggle sitting still, this will help them to “fidget” while they listen to instruction. I will
different, therefore, I will play trial and error until I find the right strategy for each
student.
themselves with the teacher spending most of the time teaching rather than dealing with
STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS 4
behavior problems, (pg. 244). As the teacher, to manage my classroom, I will have all of
my materials organized accordingly. I will have all the appropriate papers ready to be
disbursed and have a solid lesson plan I will refer to. There is a great power in reward
systems. I will set up a classroom reward system that students have input in. I will have
laminated play money that the students can earn throughout the day. They can earn
money for answering questions, working hard and quietly, turning in assignments,
helping others, and any other desirable behaviors. I will have a class store set up where
they can purchase items from using their “Class Bucks”. This will give everyone
groups. This could be reading pairs, quiz bowls, projects or other content specific
activities. This allows those who are struggling to not feel like they are singled out and
always have to work with the teacher. Sometimes, students learn better from each other.
Berns (2016) states, “Effective teachers are those who are collaborators with the students
in learning; they can motivate students to be curious by asking questions” (pg. 242). It
share what strategies I am using and hear what they are using. This will ensure that we
are all on the same page and will help us to become the best teachers we can.
Teacher’s Expectations
The expectations teachers hold on their students can have a large impact on their
ability to learn. Berns (2016) states in our textbook, “Teacher expectations about students
do not have a direct impact on student behavior; it is only when these expectations are
STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS 5
behavior that teacher expectations have an impact,” (245). If you hold your expectations
too high, then the student feels as if they will never reach them and will only experience
failure. If you set expectations too low, students will never push themselves to do better.
Students will simply just do enough to complete the task and never be challenged.
Expectations will change from class to class and even student to student. As previously
stated, every student learns differently, so their expectations may vary. As a teacher, it is
my job to find the right expectations for each student, to push them, to challenge them,
Simon Fraser University (2009) on their website called Educational Goals, they say that
educational goals are the skills, competence, and attributes a student should obtain upon
completion of the course. These can be based on short term and long term. Short term
multiplication fact. Long term goals are more towards your career choice. These goals are
important because without them the students would have nothing to work towards and
help them to be accountable. They also are intended to improve the students learning and
As teachers, it is our job to make sure that when our students are ready to go out
into the real world, they can be an appropriate, functioning adult in society. Some
students are not taught these skills at home, so without an education, they cannot succeed
appropriately in society. They need our help getting everyone on the same page about
STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS 6
what is acceptable. As well as how to socialize appropriately so they can succeed on their
Teachers have to keep in mind the many issues that can have an effect on a
students’ learning. Family can have a big effect especially if the family struggles
economically. Berns (2016) states, “All families experience stress, such as work
problems, health problems, and relationship problems. However, parents with low
incomes may have other stressors related to poverty that influences their well-being, the
tone of their marriage, and the quality of their relationship with their children” (pg. 127).
Those student may come to school tired, hungry, or in dirty clothes. These are all barriers
we have to work through to help the student work to his/her fullest potential.
Another factor that can effect a students’ learning is culture. Berns (2016) states, “The
number of people 5 and older who speak a language other than English at home has more
than doubled in the last three decades, at a pace four times greater than the nation’s
population growth, according to U.S. Census Bureau report 2007,” (pg. 247). Teachers
have to keep in mind the student may not be from here and English is not their first
language. They could still be trying to learn English in general. Teachers need to make
sure that we are accommodating that student to eliminate the language barrier.
Communities can also impact students’ learning. Berns (2016) states, “The
community is a socializing agent because it is where children learn the role expectations
for adults as well as for themselves,” (pg. 379). There are many support systems such as
counseling services, after school programs, activities, volunteer options, and support that
helps students learn. Counseling services help students work through their current
problems and those they may face throughout their lives. After school programs and
STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS 7
activities give kids something to do to keep them busy, which in turn keeps them out of
trouble. Communities provide places for students to volunteer where they learn
independence and skills they can use later in life as well as the opportunity to help out
someone in need.
As a teacher I will learn about each one of my students and where they are from.
With that knowledge, I will incorporate activities and time for sharing for each student. I
will set up class celebrations for some of the holidays from their cultures, not just the
ones in America. I will ensure they have the opportunity to share where they come from
and what it is like, as well as do some virtual field trips. I want my students to accept
There are different macrosystem philosophies regarding how ethnic groups should
Assimilation is where two difference cultural groups merge their values and beliefs
together. Culture Pluralism does not blend, they stick with their own cultures and do not
change to merge with those around them, (pg. 212). My goal as a teacher is to create
traditions in other cultures, not just those that are celebrated here.
good as expected. Sometimes, they are a complete bust. As a teacher you have to be
willing to make adjustments and try again. I work very close to our school Instructional
Coach, Denise Sherman, one thing she has taught me is if a lesson plan does not work,
STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS 8
don’t give up. “Chances are it just needs a few tweaks to it and it will be perfect.” With
this I will keep in mind some students may need somethings to be a little different. I will
keep a notebook of things I did, what worked, and what didn’t. With that I can adjust it to
make it successful.
STAR test. If the student takes it seriously and really tries, it shows their progress, if they
are stagnant, or falling behind. I would STAR test them every month and monitor their
progress throughout the year. This allows me to make the appropriate adjustments to
Conclusion
becoming a successful educator. With the knowledge in the categories; all students can
instruction, and curriculum for all learners, that I have gained thus far, and the strategies
that I plan to use, I will do great in the classroom. Although I still have a ways to go, the
knowledge that I have today is a big part of what will make me a successful teacher, this
knowledge will be what I take with me into the classroom, and I will continue my path at
References
Berns, Roberta. Child, Family, School, Community: Socialization and Support. 10th ed.,
“Children and Youth With Disabilities.” National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Home Page, a Part of the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for