Teaching Philosophy

Emily Caine
Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil C.S.
Lewis
1.) Classroom Climate and Structure
I believe that the classroom is a place that students come to learn. That being said, there
needs to be a certain level of security and warmth to the classroom that will improve
the teaching experience, as well as the learning experience for students.
I value that sense of community that a classroom has. From my own experience
in different sports, especially fencing and air pistol, I found that learning the
sport and perfecting it was more enjoyable and I retained more information
when I felt that there was a good community support around me.
I believe that a classroom should be free from discrimination. Students need to
feel a sense that they are respected and accepted, no matter who they are as a
person.
All students learn differently, so a classroom should accommodate for all
different learning styles, from visual learners to kinesthetic learners.
I believe that having a sense of value is important to life in general and that
fostering that in a classroom is beneficial. In my experience in my 2500
education class, the Teacher Associate that I had my practicum under had her
students take turns in being a class leader for the week. They were in charge of
getting their peers organized for certain activities and they were responsible for
certain jobs in the classroom. This fostered a certain feeling of responsibility.
I believe that being mindful in a classroom is important because it helps avoid
certain comments that could be offensive to students, teachers and associates in
the classroom.

It is hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to
fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. You cannot go on indefinitely
being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad. C.S. Lewis
2.) Students
I believe that students are the future of the world. Students come to school to learn
different skills, which will help them in life, whether it is getting a job or just being a
better person in society as a whole.
I believe that all students are individuals with needs and interests. For instance, I
knew that one student I worked with in Ed 2500 had an interest in wolves. Those
were his favorite animals and I connected to him, because I shared his interest in
wolves. I actually showed him videos about why they are interesting animals and
why they are important to the environment.
All students have hopes, dreams and skills that should be fostered. We are what
we believe we are. C.S. Lewis
I value that all students are important to the classroom community.
 Student input is important to all learning. I believe that it is important for me to
be open and to have students be active in their own learning as well. All we
have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. J.R.R. Tolkien
I believe that it is everyones responsibility to create a safe environment in the
classroom. This can be accomplished by making the students mindful of what
they say and to remind them to be respectful of peoples differences.

-There are people, who the more you do for them, the less they will do for themselves.
Jane Austen
3.) Teacher
I value the importance of teachers in a classroom, not only because they are teaching
students different skills, but also because they are teaching attitudes and ways of
behaving. Teachers not only teach by saying but also they teach by doing.
I believe that a teacher needs to be respectful to everyone. Respect is earned
not given.
I value a good lesson plan and being prepared for class, but being flexible is
important as well. Not all who wander are lost. J.R.R. Tolkien
I believe that a teacher should strive towards a safe environment for all students
to learn.
I value consistency in a teacher. As a teacher, it is important to be consistent in
consequences and expectations. For example, I have volunteered as an assistant
coach for my Modern Pentathlon coach, and I was to teach the younger students
in the club. My students understood that there would be consequences if they
did not listen. The consequence wasnt severe (especially because it really
shouldnt be), it just needed to be a correction rather than a punishment.
I believe that communication is key to understanding expectations, whether its
with students, peers, administration, parents and community professionals.
As a teacher I believe that it is my job to give the overall feel of a classroom a
welcoming vibe.
Being available to help students and be willing to help is extremely important as
a teacher. Whether, face-to-face, online or even just through newsletters, being
available for the students is important as is being caring and understanding while
helping a student. The task of a modern educator is not to cut down jungles,
but to irrigate desserts. C.S. Lewis
I value confidence in all students. Just fostering confidence in a student can go a
long way in their life. As a student teacher, I would read one-on-one with
students and I found that, in working with them, it made them more
comfortable in talking to me and even more confident in their skills in reading.
I believe that being honest is something that all teachers need to be. While
working with my Teacher Associate in my 2500 practicum, she told me that her
students knew when she wasnt being honest with them and that with honesty
comes respect. Also, if she didnt know the answer to a question, she would find
out the answer before telling the student.
-The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the
more places youll go. Dr. Seuss
4.) Teaching and Learning
Although I am confident in my skills as an English major, I believe that being willing to
learn to teach all different subjects in important to teaching in general.
I value giving students a say in their learning, by giving them assignments that
help them manage their learning. For example, in many of my courses in PS1, we
(the students) make a list of agreements, that were important to us and that we
were to follow. This assignment is a way of getting students involved in how they
learn the skills that is being taught.
As an English teacher, I value the importance of literacy and I want to share my
love of reading and writing to students. -Literature adds to reality, it does not
simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires
and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have
already become. C.S. Lewis
Though it is important to get through a lesson in a timely manner, I believe that
having brain breaks through the day is important. In my experience in 2500 my
Teacher Associate would have brain breaks for her students and I found that
they were more responsive and better after having a break.
I value the importance of independent reading. It gives students time to read at
their own pace and read what they want to, rather than what they have to.
What is right to be done cannot be done too soon. Jane Austen
I value the use of relevant and interesting examples in teaching.
I believe that media can be an aid in teaching, though should not be used to
excess. For example, using Beauty and the Beast as an example in how being
unique is a positive thing and reading is a way to visit new places.