STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

Statement of Informed Beliefs

Angie Adams
Instructor: Nancy Smith
EDUC 204 Families, Communities & Culture
Fall 2013

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Statement of Informed Beliefs

Every student has the right to have an opportunity to learn and receive equal education.
Teachers face many challenges when trying to meet the diverse needs of students. Students
require different approaches to learning, and as teachers, we need to be able to provide different
teaching methods to meet the needs of the student. I would like to provide students with a safe
environment, free of judgment, where they can strive to meet their educational goals.
All Students Can Learn
All students have the ability to learn and as teachers it is our privilege to guide them on
their educational journey. We as educators know that students possess different abilities,
strengths and learning styles and we need to respect that and assist them in their education.
Teachers use Jean Piagets Cognitive Theory in which he focuses on the process of the childs
thinking. A child uses their schemas, preconceived knowledge or experiences, in which to build
upon (Berns, 2010, p. 476). Teachers use these cognitive stages to gauge the students learning in
the classroom. If we can understand how a child processes information they are given taking into
account their previous knowledge and experiences, especially in a classroom setting, then we can
use different techniques to help them understand the material we wish them to learn.
To ensure students academic success, I will start by keeping an open dialog with
students and parents. Good communication between students and teachers benefits the entire
classroom and helps build a healthy classroom community where students feel they are in a
supportive environment. A student who is not afraid to make a mistake is a student who will be
able to try new ideas and build resiliency to overcome challenges. Using personal knowledge of
the content I am teaching, and understanding students individual ability to learn, I can ensure
students success. By encouraging the students throughout the learning process and instilling

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confidence in themselves, the students will have the personal belief that they can be successful
and they will take ownership of their own education.
I believe classroom management is an important factor in ensuring that all students have
an opportunity to learn. Students learn better in a classroom that is calm and orderly where they
understand the expectations. I will have procedures in place that the students can learn and be
comfortable with. After researching classroom management, I have found that Harry and
Rosemary Wongs proactive approach to preventing classroom management issues will be one
that I would like to apply to my classroom. They stress the implementation of procedures and
routines to reduce discipline problems in the classroom. Classroom management starts on day
one and it is the teachers responsibility to make sure the students know the expectations of the
teacher.
Teachers Expectations
Teachers expectations can become the students reality. Whatever way a teacher treats a
student lets the student know what you think of them and their ability to learn. Teachers need to
set high expectations for their students so they can feel valued and rise to the expectation. A
student performs to the expectation a teacher sets for them; they will under-perform if they
believe that is all that is expected or they will rise and meet the goals. It is important for a teacher
to give equal time and opportunities for all learners. Calling on students equally in class raises
their awareness and keeps them engaged. Allowing them ample time to answer questions and
helping them reach conclusions ensures that they are actively participating in class discussions.
A teacher needs to be aware of their own behavior and how they treat and react to students.
Students are aware of being pitied by the teacher even if the teacher does not mean to do it.
Treating students with disabilities differently also reinforces a low self-esteem.

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Creating educational goals for students is an important aspect in teaching. There are
different goal structures that promotes a different pattern of interaction among students
(p.260). In the cooperative goal structure, students work together; competitive goals have the
students work against each other and individual goals have the students work independently to
achieve goals (p. 260). Using these different types of goals will help motivate students. Setting
goals with students will help them meet expectations set by the teacher, themselves and even
their parents. Students will be able to use the goals to aid in self-regulation, the ability to control
their behavior. With a goal in mind, a student can choose to stay on task and work toward their
goal and not give in to impulses to engage in disruptive behavior.
Students Social Ecology Theory
Every student is exposed to a different set of circumstances in their life. They are born
into different social situations that can affect how they learn. It is essential for teachers to
recognize these and be able to create learning environments that are tailored to the students
needs. Urie Bronfenbrenner studied child development and the social contexts and
relationships that contribute to the way a child develops their abilities and potential. He derived
the Bioecological Model of Human Development in which there are four structures,
microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem and macrosystem (p. 18).
The microsystem includes relationships involving people that are close to the student
including family, school, childcare, peers, media and community. Usually the childs family is
the primary socializer where the child receives care and nurture (p. 19). Students will come into
the classroom having received different types and amounts of care. We cannot change the
background of our students and how they are socialized outside of school, but that does affect the
students ability to learn. Students who come from low socio-economic backgrounds, where both

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parents work outside the home, have less supervision when it comes to responsibilities such as
homework. They may also receive less one on one attention and therefore require that need to be
met at school. Schools and communities can offer after school activities that provide care along
with educational activities to aid students that need somewhere to be after school.
The mesosystem consists of linkages and interrelationships between a persons
microsystem. If a child has many strong links between their family and school such as strong ties
to friends who attend school, their academic achievement will be greater. It is important for
students to have a strong connection to school through teacher and peer relationships. The next
structure is the exosystem that refers to areas not directly influenced by the child but it still
affects their microsystem, such as their parents job. These influences indirectly affect the child
if something were to drastically change for them. If their parent loses their job it puts strain on
the relationship with family. The school counselors and teachers can be available to the students
if they need to talk. The macrosystem is the society and culture to which a child belongs. Some
cultures place different levels of importance and respect for education. A teacher still has to find
ways to encourage these students and teach to their learning styles.
Cultural Diversity Instruction
We are fortunate to live in a country with cultural diversity. I would like my students to
be able to experience different cultures in my classroom. There are ways in which we can
embrace different cultures and be sensitive to their traditions. It will be important for students to
feel comfortable in the classroom regardless of their cultural history. While there can be
challenges with a culturally diverse classroom, I would like to look for opportunities to create
learning experiences for the students. I believe I can be unbiased in my behavior and teaching in
my classroom and I will work with the students to embrace all cultures. I believe teachers can

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create cultural pluralism, mutual appreciation and understanding of various cultures, in their
classrooms as well as creating a classroom culture that brings everyone together. We need to
celebrate our different cultures and uphold our separate values and not force cultural
assimilation, where minority cultures are forced to take on aspects of the majority culture, on the
students of our school.
Curriculum for all Learners
At the beginning of each year, teachers welcome a whole new group of students into their
classroom. Each of these students will have come from different cultures, have different learning
styles, and have different motivations and interests. As a teacher it will be my responsibility to
assess the needs of my students and plan curriculum accordingly. By assessing the students
performance, I will be able to make adjustments to my lessons so that my students will learn the
material and be successful. I can use different delivery methods to keep the instruction relevant
and maintain the students attention. By using a combination of teacher-directed and learnerdirected curriculum I will endeavor to reach all my students learning styles. I will make sure
my curriculum is responsive to the individual needs of my students and reassess to check for
comprehension.
Each student, parent and teacher should have the reasonable expectation that after a
school year in a classroom, the student will have improved their level of learning and
understanding. To ensure that my students are successful, I will support them and make sure they
have the tools they needs to succeed. Some students will require extra time and resources and I
will be available to provide that for them. It is my goal that each student has the same
opportunities for learning and achievement.

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Every student is individual in their backgrounds and learning styles. I will work to
embrace the uniqueness of my students to prepare instruction that is understandable and
meaningful. I will have high expectations for my students so they can also have high
expectations for themselves. We will work together to form and achieve goals that are important
to the student and important to their educational journey. I will strive to provide approaches that
facilitate active learning in my classroom. It is important to me that my students leave my
classroom with an understanding and independence of learning.

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References
Berns, R.M. (2010). Child, Family, School, Community: Socialization and Support (8th ed.).
Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.