Running head: STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

SIB

Statement of Informed Beliefs Essay Meg Roe Dr. Vermette EDUC 204 Families, Communities, & Cultures Tuesday 11-12:15

SIB Statement of Informed Beliefs Essay Being an educator is like being a gardener. To grow a garden, the gardener needs to

prepare the soil, plant the seeds, tend the soil, add mulch and fertilizer, weed, and finally after so much work, the garden yields. Students are like the plants, each different, valuable and essential for a well varied garden. As a future teacher, I am excited for the opportunity to help nurture and grow each individual student into a competent and educated adult. In this essay I will clarify my beliefs regarding school diversity. I will discuss my beliefs in five areas which are: all students can learn, teachers expectations, students social ecology theory, cultural diversity instruction, and curriculum for all learners. All Students Can Learn Intelligence is simply the ability and capacity to obtain knowledge, reason, and understanding (Eggen & Kauchak, 2011). In those terms, every student can learn. Howard Gardeners theory of multiple intelligences gives us a clear understanding of eight different intelligences. Within those intelligences, it is important to remember each student has a different learning style and rate of development. Piagets cognitive development theory describes how students thinking changes over time and how experiences contribute to development (Eggen & Kauchak, 2011). There are several different developmental arenas including moral development, personal development, and social development. As a teacher it is vital to observe and learn the students primary intelligence and discern their developmental stages. With the correct information and understanding of my students I will be able to teach them in a manner they will learn. I also need to be flexible, as each student is different, therefore different types of learning must be involved in my classroom. Teachers Expectations

SIB Expectations are crucial to academic achievement. My goal as a teacher begins with personal teaching efficacy, the belief that each teacher can promote learning for every student regardless of background (Eggen & Kauchak, 2011). The first step in gaining efficacy for my students is their respect and trust. I must value my students. To value is: to consider with respect to worth, excellence, usefulness, or importance; to regard or esteem highly (dictionary.com, 2011). When I truly value a student, respect, see importance, and excellence in them, it will come across in every fiber of my being and I will reach them. I classify myself as a believer in Cognitive Psychology. A teacher should assign work

both in class and outside of class to have a high standard of achievement. If students are given a chance to prove themselves, they will improve and gain from the discipline of learning. Each child is a learner, and can gather information applicable to their situation and lifestyle from many forms of education. When placed in a situation of higher expectations, the learner will grow and mature. Furthermore, I will abide by the state regulations and standards. Students Social Ecology Theory Every aspect of a students life works together to create a whole person; According to Bronfenbrenners bioecological theory, there are four basic structuresthe microsystem, the mesosystem, the exosystem, and the macrosystemin which relationships and interactions take place to form patterns that affect human development (Berns, 2010). Simply put, the student learns from their family, school, religion, peers, the media, and so forth. It is the teachers job to engage the student to better understand the interactions taking place in their life. This way the teacher can more effectively merge their microsystems. I plan on introducing ethical ideologies and understanding amongst students. This will aid in better choices in the students life. Ethics are difficult to live by and express; in order to

SIB be a role model, believing in something and taking a stand is important. Cultural Diversity Instruction Every culture has valuable and unique features, as a teacher I plan on creating an environment where each ethnicity is encouraged and celebrated. Our nation has become more

culturally pluralistic, there is a fantastic opportunity for teachers to use curriculum and students knowledge for the benefit of the whole class. It is important for me to learn each students ethnicity, whether they were born here, immigrated, or come from family who immigrated. As a teacher this will influence my curriculum, language, and class structure. Each person in the United States of America has a unique story and perspective. As a teacher, I want to encourage the students to embrace their peers and value them for who they are. Curriculum for All Learners There are several different types of curriculum, falling under the categories of TeacherDirected and Learner-Directed. I have been personally involved in both types of curriculum and find they each have great value. Depending on a number of factors including; age, grade, stage of development, and school standards, I will map my educational curriculum in a way that is most valuable for my students. A map is a planned course with many different avenues, and so I will allow myself to change course if the situation dictates. I value classical education which includes literature, better word usage, clear writing, and class discussion and is a teacher-directed curriculum. I also see great benefit in Montessori curriculum which is based on individual self-directed learning with the teacher as facilitator (Berns, 2010). Above all, I care about people being educated and mastering the love of learning. There is an unstoppable force when a person discovers their thirst for knowledge and wisdom.

SIB In conclusion, the diversity in our country is the same variety we love in a garden. Each

individual reflects their ecology and brings distinction to our schools. We are a richer nation for the diversity we have. As a teacher, I believe all students can learn, create for myself clear teaching expectations, understand each individual students social ecology, teach cultural diversity, and plan my curriculum according to the population of my classroom. My goal is to establish opportunities for all students. As President John F. Kennedy said, In giving rights to others which belong to them, we give rights to ourselves and to our country (Various, 1992). We will become a culturally profitable nation when we truly embrace diversity, and that begins with teaching.

SIB Works Cited Berns, R. M. (2010). Child, Family, School, Community Socialization and Support (Eight ed.). Belmont, CA, USA: Wadsworth. dictionary.com. (2011, July 10). http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/value. Retrieved July 2011, 2011, from dictionary.reference.com: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/value Eggen, P., & Kauchak, D. (2011). Introduction to Teaching (Four ed.). (J. W. Johnston, Ed.) Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, USA: Pearson.

Various. (1992). Webster's 21st Century Book of Quotations. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.