My Philosophy of Education Laura Johnson "The educator, believing in the worth and dignity of each human being, recognizes

the supreme importance of the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, and the nurture of democratic principles. Essential to these goals is the protection of the freedom to learn and to teach, and the guarantee of equal education opportunity for all." ~ National Education Association's (NEA) Code of Ethics for the Education Profession

Making the decision to pursue a degree in education developed later in my educational journey. Discovering a passion for children and making a difference in their lives, was what led me to pursuing a degree in education. Working with children has always come naturally to me, which made the decision to teach an easy one. As a future teacher, I could not be more excited about having the opportunity to be a part of a childs exploration in the world of education and to be able to help to ignite their desire to learn. I believe that having something to get excited about when a student comes to school to learn is an important piece of the puzzle that ultimately leads to a student becoming a successful learner. It is my responsibility to engage m y students in active learning: to provide an environment that will promote excitement about learning. As a future teacher, I believe success starts with being aware of all of my students needs. Exploring how I can connect with my students and how they will connect with me, as well as to the material I am teaching is a key component to achieving constant growth in the classroom. To be an effective teacher, I believe that it is my responsibility to support each student in constructing their own understanding of the material I am presenting, as well as their individual learning experiences. It is my belief that by promoting the well being of my students and by building their self-confidence, they will in turn have a greater sense of purpose and school community as a whole. As the kind of teacher I intend to be, I will do my very best to create a learning environment that will provide my students with a multitude of learning formats that will fit all of their learning styles. Not only should I have a concrete knowledge of the material I am teaching, my delivery must help my students to be able to connect to what they are learning. I believe that by setting my classroom up for success, keeping an open line of communication between teacher and student, and remaining aware of different learning styles in the classroom, I will set myself up to facilitate a constructive classroom climate and keep students on track. I will be available to my students inside and outside

of the classroom and do what I can to support them at all times. I also believe that by seeking out lifelong learning and continually developing myself as a professional, I can continue to bring new life to my classroom and approach learning in a way that will excite my students. I believe teaching is a privilege and should not be taken lightly. As a future educator, I believe that making a difference in a childs life requires mindfulness and is a responsibility that must incorporate and encourage intellectual and social development in the formative years of a student's life. To be a teacher is a choice that holds great importance. As I look back at the teachers that influenced my life, I can only hope that I have what it takes to embody their same ability to empower my future students.