While at Seton Hill University and during my previous teaching involvement, I have

established a philosophy of my educational beliefs. It includes my interpretation of

understanding students and their needs, 21st century curriculum, instruction and
technology, classroom management, positive classroom environments and involving
parents in the curriculum. Each of these topics is influential to my students education.
Every student has a variety of different needs. Using individualized techniques for each
student will ensure they are learning to the highest standards. In my experience, I have
seen that simple changes to traditional methods, benefits students understanding of a
topic and are reflected in their grades. Providing more time to do assessments is an
example of this adaptation. Accommodating materials while still enforcing the
curriculum may assist each student to make sure that they are learning on a level that
meets his or her individual needs. It cannot be assumed that every student coming into
first grade knows how to read. Some of these students may not yet know the sounds
letters make. Individualization for each student, by using 21st century techniques, is
essential for students to begin learning.
Young learners must develop a variety of skills and techniques to become successful 21st
century students. These skills include life and career skills, critical thinking,
communication, collaboration, creativity, media and technology skills, as well as, the core
subjects. Students will develop these skills by sharing completed materials with their
peers. In the past, I have tasked students with creating websites as a project to present
with their classmates. Another methodology may be a jigsaw type of learning where one
student teaches the class about a topic of learning through collaboration. The modern 21st
century skill of collaboration will promote a positive learning environment by enabling
students to interact by sharing ideas with one another.
Positive learning environments are the first steps to a solid education. My classroom will
be a safe and nurturing room. Students will know that they are entering a room where
every student is cared for and feels secure. Fostering an environment of compassion and
positive attitudes will display this. Students will not be permitted to put one another
down. Students accomplishments and work will be displayed around the room. This will
promote students self-esteem and support a goal-oriented environment. Encouraging
feedback is essential for students of any age to learn. Students benefit from consistent
reinforcement as a measure of the progress they are making. My students will have
incentive charts; receive stickers and positive verbal feedback for assignments well done.
Peer review will also be encouraged to give one another constructive feedback. A
classroom working together towards a single goal or reward will also assist students to
give one another inspiring reinforcement. My classroom will foster positivity from all
participants and will draw on support systems beyond the classroom such as students
family members.
Classroom management and a positive learning environment go hand-in-hand with one
another. The management of a classroom must be structured and flexible at the same
time. Students need to know that they are in a nurturing environment but that they must
follow rules and respect the people around them. In my classroom, students will

collaboratively create a respectful and safe list of rules. Allowing students to make their
own rules makes it more likely they will abide by them. They will learn that this is how a
society of students should act and behave in the room. For management of a classroom, it
is important that an educator monitors the room. I plan to be engaged in all of my lessons
with my students. I will be collaborating with them, assisting students as needed and
encouraging them to use their minds to think creatively. My students will develop
confidence by coming into my classroom knowing they are cared for but are expected to
be respectful of guidelines the class has agreed to follow.
Parents share a critical role in educating their children. My classroom will have an open
door policy where parents can readily contact me before or after classes. Parents need to
be informed of what is going on in the classroom and become familiar with the
techniques being used to educate their children. As I have done in previous classes, a
newsletter will be provided and sent home to parents weekly previewing educational
content and goals for the week, along with an explanation of methods will be used on
their homework. The newsletter will also provide opportunities for parents to come into
the classroom, see what their students have been working on and meet with me. Parent
teacher conferences will also be set up regularly and any time a parent feels necessary.
Engaging parents in the learning process is essential for students to have a consistent
structured learning environment and positive experience at school.
Technology is constantly breaking new grounds in education, providing new and
evolving ways not only to teach but also to learn. I will embrace and implement
technology in the classroom and beyond to equip my students with exceptional
technology skills and resources. Examples of resources include web pages, apps, online
binders, Excel, PowerPoint, Prezi and more. Students who use and deploy technology
opens doors to future education and job opportunities and ultimately become lifelong
learners. Technology in education enables students to enhance performance by creating
efficiencies and potentially creating access to richer subject content. For example, I have
had students create a webpage to present a project to the class. I have also had students
use apps to practice math, science, social studies and language art skills that we have
been learning in the classroom. Students are engaged in this type of learning because it is
very familiar to many of them. For students not familiar with technology, they will learn
to use technology to develop a new style of learning. This will provide significant
benefits that are necessary skills to compete in our society. Utilizing 21st century
technology tools are not optional, they are critical for 21st century learners to excel.
Deploying my philosophy of education is crucial to managing and structuring my
classroom. My students will be educated with compassion yet be provided with a
challenging curriculum. Students will be encouraged to try new things, know no bounds,
and explore their passions. My philosophy will be implemented into my teaching
technique and classroom management on a daily basis.