Running Head: STATEMENT OF PERSONAL TEACHING PHILOSOPHY 1

Statement of Personal Teaching Philosophy

Shawna LoPresto

Regent University

In partial fulfillment of UED 496 Field Experience ePortfolio, Spring 2017

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Introduction

Throughout my studies at Regent University, I have come to realize that there are many

different philosophies of education. In fact, there are classes that even focus on learning the

differences of philosophies and theories of individuals who have influenced education over the

years. Whatever the philosophy of the teacher, the educational experience can be different for

everyone, making it important to metacognitively analyze personal philosophies to provide the

best instruction possible.

Philosophy of Education

My philosophy focuses on the learner. As a teacher, I believe that my responsibility is to

provide the best possible instruction for each student based on their individual needs. To me, this

means building relationships with each student and their family. Through relationships, I will be

able to learn about the students background, interests, and readiness. My philosophy revolves

around students having the opportunity to explore and question. I believe that students can learn

best when they take ownership, which will provide motivation for exploration and further

questioning. As a teacher, I believe that my role is to facilitate this process through offering

consistency, high-expectations, and support.

As a teacher, I will offer consistency as much as possible, high-expectations for every

student, and support through every learners journey. I believe that having consistency allows

students to have freedom and security in their educational experience, knowing what is expected

and how they can achieve their goals. I believe that this can best be created through classroom

management. Through a consistency in the environment and classroom management, positive

behavior is enforced, and students feel safe to try their best and think deeper. I believe that when

there is consistency that fosters good classroom management, learning takes place. High-
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expectations of students is tightly aligned to this because once a student is motivated, they will

rise to meet the expectations, and take ownership of their successes. I believe that the best way to

offer these things is through the support of the teacher. I truly believe the famous quote that a

student doesnt care how much you know until they know how much you care is relevant to the

support that students want.

Evolution of Beliefs

Before my studies at Regent, I had very similar beliefs about education that simply

needed fine tuning. I was homeschooled by my mother until attending community college, so my

experiences strongly affected my beliefs of what education should be. As the oldest of 7 children

who were all taught by the same person throughout each day, I saw first-hand examples of

differentiation. I believed at a young age that I could be a teacher like that even in a classroom of

30 students. I believed that I would have enough time to work one on one with every student

every day. I also believed that students should be free to learn whatever they choose to learn, as

long as it was furthering their knowledge and growing their skills as a learner.

Now that I have studied at Regent and had the opportunity to experience many different

elementary school classrooms, my beliefs have changed to be more realistic. I still believe in the

importance of differentiation, and I plan to differentiate everything that I do to meet all students

needs. However, I know that I must be very strategic in time management to be able to meet with

each student. I will be intentional about getting this time with every student. Additionally, my

beliefs about students learning whatever they want has been re-shaped into the belief that

students should be able to explore information to come to understandings in their own ways.

With that, I believe that it is possible to have students interested in the topics that are covered in

the learning objectives. I believe that when there is a foundation of support between teacher and
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student, the students are motivated. Once there is motivation, the teacher will facilitate student

questioning about topics and allow students to come up with their own ways of gathering

information and applying understandings.

Statement of Goals

As a teacher, it is my goal to provide the best possible instruction for every student. To

achieve this goal, I plan to strive for the best possible classroom management, creating and

maintaining high expectations, and supporting every student. It is my goal to be able to facilitate

student growth as well as document growth, so that students and their families can see their

achievement. It is my goal to differentiate instruction throughout everything I do so that all

students have a fair chance. It is my goal to show students the value of education, and motivate

them to strive for success. It is my goal to be a part of empowering the next generation.

As a Christian, I believe that every student has a purpose for their life, that is based on

their own individual gifts. I believe that all students deserve hope and a future, and my faith

impacts these beliefs. There is a specific verse in the Bible that inspire me to believe in my

students, and this is Jeremiah 29:11, which says, For I know the plans I have for you, declares

the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (NIV).

I know that teaching is a plan that God had for my life, and through that I am passionate about

being a teacher who shows students that they can have hope and a future. I believe that every

student should know that no matter where they come from or where they go, no one can take

their education away from them, and that it is a powerful tool in this world.