Sarah Johnson | Teaching Philosophy

My teaching philosophy is based in high expectations and respect for my students, both in
terms of a classroom culture that is established through respecting student voices, and through
curriculum that respects students enough to ask them to push themselves to further their
learning.
Through my work one on one with writing students, my work in classrooms and my own
time as a student, it is clear to me that learning is a vulnerable act. Learning requires you to
admit that you do not know something, and seek out the resources to change that. As a teacher,
it is my responsibility to work to build a classroom culture that respects and nurtures students
experience. I work to create opportunities for student voices to be present in the creation of the
classroom, through end of unit debriefs, student led class discussion and activities where
students bring their own knowledge and experiences to the forefront.
As a teacher it is my job to facilitate my students learning. Through setting clear, but
deliberately high expectations, I attempt to push my students to grow and develop in their
learning throughout our time together. These high expectations are coupled with the equally high
standards for myself, to provide them with the resources that they need to be successful. Each
student walks into the room with different histories, strengths and needs, and this difference
creates tailored requirements for the classroom practice. Providing my students with a variety of
assignment modes, texts and topics to grapple with, allows for different students to shine and be
challenged. Finding resources for students to be successful, be it suggesting audiobooks,
allowing for digital submission of daily assignments or increasing scaffolding, creates a classroom
atmosphere where students know that I want to see them succeed, and where they want to
succeed as well.
My primary goal as an educator is to see my students grow into successful, life-long
learners. By believing that they are capable of meeting high expectations, respecting what they
bring with them to the classroom, and providing them with the support necessary, I am often
able to see my students meet and exceed this goal.