Michelle Taylor

A Teacher’s Philosophy

9/5/19

I believe that teachers should create an inclusive learning environment that inspires

students to express themselves, encourage their peers, and gives students a continuous

opportunity to trust each other and their teacher. In order for this to happen, teachers must

create a positive learning environment through demonstration. Most importantly, my core

beliefs lie in the empathy, patience, forgiveness, and the unbiased nature of teachers. However,

the expectations of teachers hardly consider the emotional support that teachers provide to

students.

When I think about teaching, I think of the curriculum. What philosophy should teachers

consider when teaching? I believe that teachers should provide a scaffold education to their

students. It is wrong to assume that all students will learn the same, learn at the same rate, and

will have the same questions or concerns. I believe that each lesson should be scaffold in order

to offer the best education for students. When teaching, teachers must be direct with their

lessons and instructions, encouraging their students to ask questions in order to clarify any

misconceptions. Teachers must be firm in their expectations of students, but should not

discourage opportunities of imagination or self-expression. Most of all, teachers should care

about their students and the needs of each individual. Teachers can do this by reflecting on

personal experiences.

In August, many students are introduced to a new environment; this could be a new

school or a new classroom, surrounded by unfamiliar faces. A teacher should understand the

adjustments that students experience each school year, each day. Teachers can become
Michelle Taylor

A Teacher’s Philosophy

9/5/19

personable and relatable to students by giving a personal example. My freshman year of

college, I majored in the health sciences, a major that I was neither good at nor liked. The

adjustment to a new area, full of fresh faces, was hard for me. I found myself distracted and

overwhelmed; I stopped attending classes, resulting in missing assignments. I failed out of

college my first year attending Radford. I questioned if school was for me, a question that many

students ponder. I came to the conclusion that there are many factors that go into education;

everyone is a natural learner by default, however, the environment in which someone learns

can sway the outcome. To avoid an academic suspension, I took three classes during the

summer. I received all A’s in these three class. This was a second chance to graduate college. I

changed my major to something I loved, English. Soon, I discovered teaching through one of my

required classes, a profession that I immediately fell in love with. Because of the support of

family, and the support of Radford University’s faculty, I was able to attend and continue my

education. I was no longer a “bad student.” Because of this experience, I believe in the power

of personal connections. Therefore, I truly believe that a teaching philosophy should be

centered around the individual student. I have learned to turn personal connections into

classroom management. I found that students thrive in an environment where they feel

accepted and encouraged.