Running head: STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

Statement of Informed Beliefs Sheena Wesner College of Southern Idaho Instructor: Dr. Evin Fox EDUC 204: Families, Communities, and Culture Fall 2013

STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS Diversity Statement of Informed Beliefs Introduction

It has been a long journey for me to make the decision to go back to college and pursue a career in education. Now that I have taken these first steps, I have been able to reflect on the type of teacher I wish to be and have come to the conclusion that teaching is more than just a job; its a privilege and a huge responsibility. I have always known that I wanted to do something that would allow me to help people improve their lives, and for a long time I thought it was nursing. However, becoming a mother and watching my own children grow and learn has been the highlight of my life, and has inspired me to become a teacher. Students Ability to Learn As a teacher I will place high expectations on my students to ensure that they work to the best of their abilities. By establishing routines, my students will know what to expect from one day to the next and this will help me create a secure environment for my students to work in. Not all students will have a desire to learn or even be in school. However, this does not mean that they are incapable of learning. Providing a positive and safe environment for students to learn in can help them want to learn and become better students. Teaching students to become selfregulated will also be a tool that will help them meet my high expectations. A self-regulated student has a desire to learn and does not need constant supervision. When a student can control his/her own feelings and actions, he/she can have more control over the learning experience and can become a better student. Positive Reinforcement is something that I have found to be very effective as a parent and will also become an essential part of my teaching practices. By giving my students positive reinforcement on the things they do well, I will be sending them the message that I care about their hard work and their success. For example, if a student is working to the best of their abilities, but still does not get the grade they desire, I will provide him/her

STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS with positive reinforcement on the things that he/she did well so the student does not become discouraged and not want to try. This will let my student know that he/she is on the right track and will eventually earn the desired grade. Implementing different Learning Styles will also give all of my students an equal

chance at learning in the manner that is most suitable for them. Some students might learn better if they can visualize the lesson rather than just read it. One way I can do this will be by using technology in the classroom. Technology can give students access to information that they might not otherwise have. In addition, setting goals is also something that is important for students to students do. It has been very important in my own education, so I know the benefits of having goals. By helping my own students set goals, I will be helping them build their self-esteem, which will help them become better students. Students Social Ecology Theory A students socioeconomic status can have a great impact on how well he or she will do in school. If a student comes from a family that does not have all of their physical needs met, then there is a greater chance this student will not do as well in school. If this is the case, I would reach out to this childs family and see if there is anything I could do to give him or her extra help in class or after school. A students family can also have an effect on how he/she performs in school. If a student comes from a neglectful family than he or she might not have all of the resources needed to reach his/her full potential. A successful teacher will not place undue stress on a child that comes from such a family; such as penalizing him or her for not having the proper supplies. Some students might come from an abusive family, whether it is physical or emotional abuse teachers need to be aware and report any suspicion that a student might be in trouble.

STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

According to Parsons, Hinson, Sandro-Brown (2010), Ericksons theory of psychosocial development addresses the importance of relationships with others in the formations of ones own identity. This means if a child is told that they are not smart or they wont amount to anything, there is a high likelihood that the child will believe this and not want to even try. However, this can also be used in a positive way. If a child is told that he/she is smart and can be anything if he/she works hard, then he/she will have a higher probability of success. The community a student comes from can also have an impact on how well he or she will do in school. If I am in a community that places an emphasis on education then there is greater chance the students will want to do better in school. And if the community does not, I might have to reach out to community leaders to find ways to make education more of a priority. Also, having an understanding of my students culture can make me a more successful teacher because I can plan my lessons around things that are important to my students. Knowing the culture of the students can give teachers insight on the type of beliefs and traditions they may have, and can help to more effectively teach them. Cultural Diversity Instruction As a teacher, it will be of great importance for me to be able to understand the ethnic backgrounds of my students. With classrooms becoming more diverse, I will encourage cultural pluralism in my classroom. Letting my students learn about each others cultures will help them understand that differences are a good thing and they can learn from each others backgrounds. I would also try to foster cultural assimilation for students that come from a different culture. I would try to help them understand the traditions and beliefs of the class so they can fit in better. Doing these things can help a student that comes from a different country feel more accepted.

STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS Curriculum for all Learners According to Berns (2012), a curriculum includes the educational goals and objectives

of the program, the teachers role, the equipment and materials, the space arrangement, the kinds of activities, and the way they are scheduled (p. 171 ). The guidelines of the curriculum are set by the state and it is the teachers job to follow them. With this in mind, teachers need to make every effort to develop a developmentally appropriate curriculum for the age group they are teaching. Having the ability to evaluate a students needs is a priority. If I have a student that is struggling with a curriculum, I might try to use a different teaching method to reach that particular student. According to Parsons, Hinson, Sandro-Brown (2010), Piagets stages of cognitive development can help determine if the curriculum is appropriate for the age of the students being taught. Piagets four stages are: The sensormotor (birth to 18-24 months), the preoperational (27 years), the concrete operational (7 to 11 years), and the formal operational (over 11 years). If you are teaching kindergarten, then it is important to make sure the lessons are geared to students that are in the preoperational stage because they would not have to ability to understand concepts that older children would be able to. Teachers also have to be able to assess their students work. Formal assessments are what most teachers use. They are a way for teachers and parents to see if a student is making progress in a certain area. They can give a teacher a lot of information about how well the students understand the curriculum. However, formal assessments do not show a childs interests, or their personal beliefs. Authentic assessments can show the extent of a childs progress through a subject. And can be as simple a watching a child work and noticing his or hers improvements, or

STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS lack of improvements. Authentic assessments can be very useful in the classroom and can give teachers a good idea about the progress a student has made. Conclusion Teaching is not something that I go into light-heartedly. There will be many ups and downs, and I will always be learning. Teachers have the ability to influence many lives and change them for the better. Being a successful teacher involves a lot of dedication. By believing

in my students, giving them positive reinforcement, being accepting of their diverse cultures, and teaching them a developmentally appropriate curriculum, they will be able to find success and grow to be productive members of society.

STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS Citations

Burns, Robert M (2012). Child, Family, School, Community. 9th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Parsons, Hinson, Sandro-Brown (2010). Educational Psychology. Mason, Ohio: Cengage Learning.