Educational Philosophy

Savannah Girmscheid

The primary purpose of education is to develop students into creative and critical thinking
individuals. Through gaining proficiency in the core subjects and developing thinking skills, students are
equipped for life and given the tools and skills necessary to achieve their goals and purposes. My role as
a teacher is to guide students in making content meaningful and in acquiring the skills to think for
themselves . When I student taught at Singapore American School, I got a glimpse into what this kind of
teaching looks like. We focused on basing all lessons in inquiry, encouraging students to build upon
background knowledge and answer questions involving deeper level thinking. We focused on the process
of learning rather than the product of learning, encouraging students to understand topics, analyze
information, and form their own opinions, rather than focus on memorizing facts.

At its best, education should instill a love for learning in each student. Ideally, the motivation to
learn should be intrinsic and the role of a teacher is to foster this motivation. Of course, this tends to be
easier said than done, though when learning is student-centered, this can become more of a reality. In my
classroom, students will be given an opportunity to debate, to challenge, and to question without the fear
of being wrong. I will not be the only teacher, but rather, my students and I will look to each other to
learn new things.

Simultaneously, education should equip students with interpersonal skills to allow each student to
become a compassionate, empathetic, flexible, and kind individual with solid collaboration skills. As
students enter my classroom, they will be treated with respect and love and expected to show that same
respect and love to others. My students will be encouraged to grow as people, learning to interact and
work cooperatively with others. At the forefront, education should prepare an individual for a productive
role in society, one in which he or she can participate actively in decision making and can make the world
a better place. Students will become global citizens, informed about the world and accepting of the
diversity within it. Learning about and experiencing new countries or cultures is incredibly valuable as
students learn to value diversity, and this will be a priority in my classroom.

Authenticity is essential in learning. I was homeschooled throughout elementary school, where I

learned primarily through authentic experiences. I learned to read by reading to my younger siblings, I
learned about money by shopping with my parents, and I learned how to collaborate with my family. Of
course, in a school setting it is not always possible to learn in such an unstructured way; however,
whenever possible, I plan to teach through project based learning and authentic experiences. For example,
if learning the concept of area in math, students may determine a way to reorganize a classroom. Through
learning about other countries, we students may Skype with peers in those countries or become pen pals.

Additionally, my students will be encouraged to express themselves through their academic work, and
outlets for creative expression will not be limited to just specials. As often as possible, students will
have choice in their writing, their projects, and their assignments and we will learn through art, through
music, through movement. Instruction will be hands on whenever possible, will be varied for a variety of
learning styles.
 Education should be individualized as much as possible. Planning time will be devoted to
ensuring my instruction and activities are differentiated. Whether teaching a single student or a group of
over twenty, my priority is to keep both myself and my students constantly engaged. Engagement
happens through consistent check-ins and conversations surrounding student work. I expect to teach my
students new skills but also allow them to teach me. In my classroom, students will have a voice, in
partnership activities, small group settings, and whole group settings. As a teacher, the demands on my
time will be never ending. By committing to what is important and devoting my time to creating lessons
that encourage a higher level of thinking among my students, I hope to maximize my effectiveness.

Technology is a tool which I will utilize to enhance instruction, but not rely upon. We will use
online formative assessment tools such as Padlet and Kahoot to keep lessons engaging and interesting; we
will use audiobooks and ebooks to add variety; we will use Moxtra to organize files and information; we
will use Google docs to collaborate with groups. In a world where technology and online collaboration is
critical, my students will learn to utilize technology not just for fun but in order to be equipped for a
career.

My classroom will be a calm and consistent environment for my students both in the physical
environment and the routines of the classroom. Students thrive in consistency and upon walking into my
classroom will know the procedure for everything, from sharpening pencils to asking a question.
Students will be informed of the expectations for behavior and the logical consequences that occur when
those expectations are not met.

As a teacher, I will be responsible for collecting data on my students and assessing their academic
performance. Whenever possible, I plan to use formative assessments and progress monitoring as I plan
lessons and determine how best to reach my students needs, assessing the work they have already been
doing in class. My lessons will then be differentiated based on the data gathered during these informal
formative assessments, ensuring students who need help understanding the topics receive the instruction
and practice necessary for mastery. In order to prepare my students for summative assessments, I will
focus on problem-solving skills on a daily basis and ensure my students have the mental tools and
strategies to be prepared for any exam.

In regards to understanding the uniqueness of each student, especially those with special needs, I
love this quote by George Evans: every student can learn, just not on the same day, or in the same way.
This belief shapes how I view students with disabilities and my role in teaching these individuals. Two
of my younger brothers receive special education services, and one is a student in a self-contained
classroom. The kind of relationship I hope my brothers have with their special education teachers shapes
how I relate to my students with special needs. They each have a role, a value, a purpose, and are each
capable of learning in their own unique ways. It is my job, as their teacher, to patiently guide them to
achieve more than previously thought possible.

Being a teacher does not require perfection, but rather a commitment to guiding and helping
students to become the best they can be. Through teaching, I hope to fulfill my purpose and guide my
students in finding theirs.