Teaching Philosophy

Samantha Geer

I have wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. I have had teachers from
elementary through college that have been an important part of where I am today. I was fortunate
enough to have teachers that inspired me, helped me grow as a learner, and to instill a desire to
continuously learn. I want to be that same inspiration to my future students.
One way that I believe I can nurture their love of learning is by using teaching techniques
such as Project Based Learning (PBL). PBL offers students the opportunity to have a voice in the
classroom and do authentic, hands on work. With PBL, I will be able to offer classroom
experiences that are engaging to the student and are also focused around topics that they want to
learn more about. Because PBL offers the opportunity for students customize their learning, it
also works well for offering an inclusive environment for the students, which I feel is important
in a classroom environment.
I want all of the students in my classroom to be able to grow and enjoy learning. One way
I will do that is by creating a classroom environment that is fluid to the needs of my students. I
will make sure to offer information in a way that works for a variety of learning styles, whether
that is visual, auditory, tactile, or kinesthetic. I understand that every student learns differently,
and it is important to teach to those different styles.
I want a classroom environment that is inclusive to all learners. In order to have an
effective classroom that is inclusive, I plan on having a variety of assessment opportunities.
Whether that is formative assessments throughout a unit or by offering a variety of assessment
options at the end of a unit, students will have many different opportunities to showcase their
learning in a way that is comfortable for them. By offering differentiated instruction, all students
—whether they have a learning disability or not—will be able to work in a way that is best for
them. I will also have an environment that is built around routines so that students know what to
expect—whether that is when they are entering the classroom, transitioning to a new subject, or
walking down the halls. Routines and procedures will be an important part of our classroom
structure.
Overall, I want my classroom to be a place that students can be creative with how they
demonstrate their knowledge, they can be active and engaged in what they are learning, and a
place that is inclusive to all different learners while offering them the support they need to
succeed.