I want to create a classroom where students have a sense of self direction and

self-advocacy. During my time at Butler, I have seen many educators instill confidence
in their students and help them become inquisitive, exploratory learners who ask and
work to answer their own questions. As a secondary educator, I want to empower my
students to make connections from content to their own lives and use these skills
in making their own choices in and out of the classroom. It is my job as an educator to
support students in taking ownership of their learning and actively engage them in
content that is applicable to real world problems. The development, interests, and
strengths of adolescents must be the center of planning for student inquiry and
engagement. Their questions and perspectives should drive the class, and as the
teacher, I will be supporting them in their own discovery. 
Acceptance and celebration for diversity is a cornerstone of developmentally
appropriate education for adolescents. Showing respect for and acceptance of diversity
is an ideal that is essential to fostering an environment where students feel comfortable
being themselves. If they are not comfortable within my classroom, then they will not
learn. Each student in my room has so much to contribute to a collaborative
learning environment, and they all enter with unique experiences and perspectives that
shape who they are. As an educator, my goal is to create a classroom where all
students’ diverse aspects are celebrated and appreciated, but also used to unify
students under the idea that we are all different, but we are all here for a common
purpose. 
    There will be all types of learners in my classroom, and it is my job to adapt to
their abilities and needs. Through proper lesson planning, I will keep the specific
learners in my classroom at the center of the lesson by ensuring that I am providing
information in ways that cater to all types of learners and are guided by the Universal
Design for Learning. Adolescents learn best when they are able to do or to create, and I
will get out of their way and let them do that. My goal is to teach students the skills to
uncover the answers to their own questions.
    Collaboration with other educators is essential in order to best serve students.
Depending on the situation, collaboration can look very different. As a special educator,
I will encounter may different situations that require me to collaborate with different
aspects of the educational team. It is important that all members of this team are on a
united front in order to best support the student. However, this will not always be easy,
but all members of this team want what is best for the child and listening and
considering the perspectives of all members is essential to creating a plan of support
that leads to success. With collaboration comes advocacy, and I am always working to
become a better advocate for the unique needs of my students and families and helping
my students to become advocates for themselves. Being an advocate or self-advocate
is essential to success in not only secondary education but as a life skill.
There are many personal qualities I hope to bring into the workplace to better
myself and my students. I aspire to be the type of teacher that students can rely on.
Consistency and dependability are crucial for creating relationships that positively
impact students and their overall academic and personal achievement. I want to be an
active listener and make sure my students feel that their voice is being heard. I want to
approach all my students with an open mind and not allow diagnoses or previous test
scores dictate my expectations of them. I want to have high expectations of all my
students because I know that they have the ability to achieve. I know that all students
have the ability to learn and grown, and I hope to give them the love and support it
takes to have the confidence to do that. We are all students, and I will be continually
working to expand my knowledge and grow as an educator. Students and teachers alike
can always improve, and I will never stop working to better myself in pursuit of being the
best teacher I can be.