Natalie Ferraro

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world, these
famous words spoken by Nelson Mandela will forever have an impact on me not only as an
educator but also as a person. I am a firm believer that education is the key to social change and
success and I also believe that as an educator it is my role to grant all students the key. My
philosophy of education loosely follows those words of Nelson Mandela. Every student, from
any culture, race, or background has the ability to learn and the ability to hold that key. As an
educator, I accept the responsibility to mold, cultivate, inspire and guide my students to one day
change their life, or even the world.
As an avid learner, one must become aware of their surroundings, communicate with
others, and become enlightened with the concept of diversity. As a Spanish and Italian teacher, I
will promote the positives of diversity in the classroom, by instilling the knowledge of different
cultures and customs of many Spanish and Italian speaking countries. While sharing my
experiences of studying abroad in Spain and Italy with my students, with the goal of encouraging
them to travel, I will show first-hand the benefits of understanding different cultures. Through
living abroad, I have become aware of different cultures throughout the world. As a teacher of
diverse students I will use my experiences to adequately engage all my students, and give them
all tools needed to gain the most rewarding and rich education.
Technology will become an active component of my lessons by sharing music samples,
and pictures from other countries, and using software, which supports language learning. Being a
native Italian speaker from the age of two, and being a student in a Spanish classroom for the
past nine years, helps me understand first-hand the objectives of a non-native and a native

speaker to become proficient in a language. I will facilitate the learning of sentence structure,
reading comprehension, oral communication, rigorous vocabulary, and ensure that my students
have enough confidence to understand the language. I am a firm believer in an enjoyable but rich
learning atmosphere for my classroom. I chose to teach foreign languages to present education in
a pleasurable yet structured manner. As a tri-lingual speaker, I will have a better rapport with bilingual and immigrants parents, ensuring a strong presence in their childs education. Working
with parents, building administration, and also my colleagues, I will ensure that every student
will receive the highest level of education possible.
In my classroom, every student will have the structured guidance, knowledge, and
encouragement to able to thrive and reach their utmost potential. It will be a safe haven for
students, as they will feel a sense of community. I strive to make my students feel welcomed at
all times. My classroom will not only be a place for learning, but a place for growth and success.
Having a background in educating students with special needs, I will actively listen to my
students requests; understand their needs, and learning styles to facilitate a more efficient and
accommodating education. While following the New York State Common Core State Standards,
I will incorporate literacy skills, while encouraging my students to grow academically not only in
their Spanish or Italian studies but in their other academic studies. I am a firm believer in that
every student is unique, which will lead to varied ability levels, learning preferences, and
differentiated instruction. I am confident that as a teacher I will incorporate various learning
styles, and varied instructional techniques making learning an easier and more engaging process.
My philosophy of education relates well to the theories and ideas of the educational
researcher, James Banks, as he is a supporter of a multicultural education. He believes educators
should emphasize multicultural education, as well as acceptance of diversity. I am a firm

believer that education should not only open the eyes of my students, but also empower them to
make a difference in the world. In my Spanish or Italian classroom, it will become my role as an
educator to facilitate a safe, and engaging learning environment.