Geralynne Solitaire

Educational Philosophy
As a future educator I believe I possess the ability to transform the way my students think
about themselves, others, and the world around them. My primary role as an educator is to
provide my students with all necessary tools to succeed so when they leave my classroom they
feel that they can accomplish anything because of the wide-ranging lessons learned in my class. I
will do this by educating my students through diversity responsive teaching by teaching my
students the essential skills to respond appropriately to differing perspectives, lifestyles, and
ways of being.
To be a successful teacher I need to create a safe environment for my students to feel a
sense of belonging. I will do this by incorporating some of Maria Montessoris teaching
philosophy into my classroom by teaching young children through their natural interest in
exploring the world. By integrating differentiated instruction into my classroom it will give me a
chance to combine Montessoris belief of teaching young children based on their interests and
shaking up what goes on in the classroom by giving students multiple options for taking in
information that is best for them to learn. I wish to get to know each student individually so that I
can incorporate their interests into my lessons so that they are more engaged in what they are
learning.
I believe that students perform to the standard an educator holds them at. As an educator I
need to have an open mind and look at my students with the same expectations and not favor one
more than another. In my classroom I need to consider the various factors of diversity in the
students life and not associate that to their performance in the classroom. In my content area,
special education, we are taught that students are not disabled, but are differently abled. Each

has his or her own different abilities that benefit them in ways it does not benefit others and viseversa. I can help my students set goals for themselves by using the backward lesson design in
which you decide the learning outcomes first, then breakdown general outcomes into specific
goals, then determine the best method of assessment.
Building community in my classroom is a must so that students feel like it is a safe place
to speak and learn. I will do this by incorporating Montessoris philosophy of a multi-aged
classroom in which children are put into multi-age classrooms, so they can learn from older
children, and help the younger children in the classroom. If a child needs to repeat a grade, they
can do so without being held back while watching their friends move to a new classroom. In a
special education class there are varying ages being taught at one time so being able to build my
classroom community with older students, depending on their abilities, aiding me in the teaching
of younger students under my supervision would be a different experience for all in the class.
I believe at a high school level that a special education course should be offered so that
those who are graduating high school may view special education in a different way. In my
experience I see some individuals come to college who were not exposed to individuals who are
differently abled and are not sure how to act, talk, or even be around others who are not the same
as them. Offering a special education educating course would be eye opening and I think benefit
the learning institution as a whole.
If I want my students to stay motivated, I must stay motivated and driven with them. I
also have to remember that my future students, as I did, view teaches as role models and I will do
all in my power to continue be their role model. I want to be able to help my students alter the
way they look at themselves by changing what they think are deficits into assets, I want to help
my students think of those around them who view them differently as a challenge to befriend and

educate, and finally I want my students to change the way they think about the world around
them as a place full of opportunities not limitations.

Works Cited

Bourne, Lori. "Montessori and the Child with Special Needs." Montessori for Everyone.
Montessori Blong, 17 Oct. 2010. Web. 9 Dec. 2014.
Price, Kay M., Karna L. Nelson, and Kay M. Price. Planning Effective Instruction:
Diversity Responsive Methods and Management. , Australia: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2007. Print.