Michele Zmich

Educational Philosophy
I believe that all students are natural learners, curious about the
world around them and eager and capable of discovery. I feel that
learning best occurs when it is inquiry based and emerges from the
interests and questions raised by students. I believe that it is a
teachers responsibility to nurture and develop the natural desire of
students to understand the world, themselves, and their own roles in
society.
In order for this teaching to be successful, students and teachers
must create an environment of mutual respect, risk-taking,
responsibility, and empathy. A classroom is ideally a place of wonder
and exploration, with a teacher taking on the role of facilitator and
guide rather than holder of knowledge. In such an environment
children will naturally question, think, and explore the same concepts
that are often taught in other ways, but will have a deeper
understanding and knowledge for having come to their understanding
through inquiry and exploration.
Teaching students critical thinking skills and the ability to
consider multiple perspectives are required to achieve this purpose.
This type of thinking supports creative problem solving- a skill
desperately needed in our world. It also encourages peaceful
resolutions to conflicts allowing for consideration of others
perspectives and supports the view of compromise as a successful

solution rather than a loss. Students who have learned to problem

solve creatively are poised to make significant contributions to their
communities. The benefits of this philosophy of teaching are both
individual and societal.