Running head: PERSONAL TEACHING PHILOSOPHY 1

Personal Teaching Philosophy

Kristen Clark

Regent University

In partial fulfillment of UED 495 Field Experience ePortfolio, Spring 2017

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Introduction

Teaching is a calling, it is not a profession that everyone can do. It takes a certain kind of

passion to want to be a teacher. As I have learned more about being an educator, through the

courses I took a Regent University as well as in my student teaching placements, I have seen my

passion and desire to be a teacher continue to develop. My philosophy of education has grown

and developed and has changed my views on education as a whole, including my beliefs of the

role of the teacher, the role of the student, and the role of instruction.

Personal Statement

As a teacher, I believe that all students can learn; however, how they learn is different for

each student. Because of this, it is important to realize these differences and teach them in ways

so that they can learn best. Furthermore, it is important to realize that students should be in

charge of their own learning, with this, an educator should facilitate learning making the

classroom and learning process student-centered, rather than teacher-centered. These things are

important to remember because as a teacher, our goal is to ensure that each student is able to

learn so that they can be successful inside and outside the classroom.

Furthermore, as an educator it is important to build relationships with each student and

teach them in a way that is engaging. Each student will come with a different background, some

good and some bad, with this, it is important to treat all students the same and build relationships

that will leave a good impact on the students. By building these relationships, and showing the

students that you care, it will help the students to become more invested in the classroom and in

their own learning. Additionally, by teaching students in a way that is engaging, it helps them to

become excited about their learning and further invested in their education. With this, it can help

to ensure that students are able to learn best and succeed in the classroom and in their future.
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Evolution of Beliefs

As I spent time in a classroom full time, during student teaching, the beliefs I held about

education changed and I began to more clearly understand the need for certain practices in the

classroom. I began to see the importance of a student-centered education, the need to

differentiate instruction for students, and the need to ask students critical questions.

I was able to see how student-centered education is essential in the classroom because it

provides students with the chance to take charge of their learning. It allows them to become more

involved in their learning because it causes them to be the ones who are responsible for their

learning. Furthermore, it takes the focus off the teacher and puts it onto the students and allows

them to explore learning; the teacher then becomes a facilitator to student learning rather than a

lecturer.

Additionally, I was able to see how differentiated learning is put into practice. While I

had already known the importance of differentiated learning, during my student teaching

placements, I was able to see how it is put into practice in the elementary classroom and the

benefits it brings. One of the ways I saw this occur, was in small group instruction. I knew about

small, differentiated groups, however, before student teaching I had not been exposed to the

various benefits that it brings. While student teaching, I saw many benefits in teaching in small

groups since all students have different abilities in each subject. I saw that small group

instruction helps to remediate concepts with those who need extra guidance while it enhances

learning for those who understand the concept, these groups are constantly changing as well

based on the concept being taught. From my experiences with small group learning, it

encourages me to use this type of instruction in various subjects to best serve my students needs.
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Lastly, my outlook on the importance of asking critical questions changed. I saw the need

to ask these questions and to have students expound on their answers to check for their

understanding and to find any misconceptions that students may have. These questions help the

teacher to see whether a student truly understands a subject instead of just guessing an answer.

Overall, my beliefs in these aspects changed as I was able to see how these practices were

implemented into a classroom, rather than just reading about their benefits. Furthermore, I was

able to obtain a better understanding of these practices and how they help to ensure learning for

the students in the classroom.

Statement of Goals

Throughout my time at Regent and my time as a student teacher, I was able to see the

importance of being a life-long learner. Education is a field that is constantly changing, new

ways of teaching are continually explored and new ideas can always be implemented into a

classroom. Because of this, my goal is to continue to learn more about best practices that I can

use in the classroom and best practices that I can use to help my students learn. My goal is to one

day obtain a Masters Degree so that I can further my education in a more specialized field as an

educator, as well as further impact my students and help them to learn. Furthermore, I hope to

influence students year after year, aiming to be a teacher who leaves a lasting impact on students

by building meaningful relationships, as well as leaving them with the knowledge they need to

be successful in their future educational careers.

Impact of Faith

My faith has deeply impacted my desire to be a teacher and the beliefs I now hold as an

educator. One of my main beliefs, in regards to classroom management, is the importance to love

all students and show them Christs love, because Christ first loved us (1 John 4:19). This truth
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helps me to remember that because Christ first loved us, we are commanded to love others, this

includes each and every student I will ever teach. All of this, however, is rooted in my belief that

I need to do my best in order to please God. 2 Timothy 2: 15 says Do your best to present

yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly

handles the word of truth (New International Version). This verse encourages me to continually

do my best in everything, including teaching, so that I can be approved by God. With this, I am

encouraged to teach students to the best of my ability, finding ways to help students best learn

and grow. Furthermore, this translates to a key idea that I will hold in my classroom, that my

students should always try their best and I will accept nothing but their best. I know that some

students will have more difficulty with certain concepts and subjects, but I will expect them to

always try their best.

Conclusion

Overall, my teaching philosophy has been shaped by my faith and education. It has

changed and grown since being in a classroom, and I know that it will continue to change

throughout my teaching career. However, with this, I am encouraged to embrace these changes

and find ways that will help my students to learn best so that they can succeed. I believe that

every student has the right to learn and every student can learn, but it will be my job to help them

so that they can grow in knowledge and this is something that I will work hard to do.