Final Teaching Philosophy

Teachers are present to assist in guiding students through the process of learning. As a
teacher, I should have high expectations for students, but should also allow them room to grow
and to experiment on their own, since this is how they build their own image and become
unique. Students should feel comfortable in my classroom and should be able to express
themselves freely. They should be able to feel comfortable about coming to me with their
thoughts, questions, ideas, or any problems that they face, so that I can help them, as well as
teach them how to help themselves. Students should not be afraid to take risks in my classroom,
as taking risks is the primary way that we learn and evolve. They will understand that failure is
normal and is essential to learning, and that it is nothing to be ashamed of. I will challenge them
will difficult things, but will also provide them with the ability to learn from their mistakes.
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is essential for everyone in life, and as such is also essential
to a student’s education. As a teacher, I can help students to feel fulfilled in every one of these
aspects- physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. While there are
areas that will be less possible for me to directly affect, as a teacher, there are many things that I
could still do to ensure that those needs are fulfilled. I will keep an open dialogue with my
students’ parents, and will and have discussions with them about the needs that their child may
have. I will ensure that my classroom is a place where students, and even their parents, will feel
comfortable talking about the things that they need. If there are any shortcomings on my part, I
will do my best to remedy those in my classroom. If the student has needs outside of what I can
personally do for them, I will discuss it with their parents, and will turn to school administration
or refer them to outside assistance if needed.
Through SEL, or social and emotional learning, I will ensure that every student in my
classroom, regardless of race, gender, background, etc., feels like they have what they need to
learn. I will make sure that I provide every student with equal opportunities in the classroom. I
will teach students about the injustices that they face and how they can be fixed. As well as
teaching my students about the challenges that they face, I will provide them with opportunities
to face those challenges and create change. This will help students to see how they can affect the
world and speak against injustice, whether in small settings or large ones.
I will promote self-awareness among students by teaching them to recognize their
emotions and identity through individual assignments that will promote self-reflection. I will
teach students how to manage themselves effectively by having them set goals for themselves
and checking in to see how they are progressing on those goals. I will promote self-awareness by
teaching them that everyone has different perspectives and to respect those differences.
Relationship skills can be promoted by giving students the opportunity to work in groups, so that
they will learn how to cooperate with others. I will teach them responsible decision-making
through allowing them to make their own decisions about their education when appropriate. All
of these aspects will promote equality between students and will ensure that they can move on to
be effective citizens.
 Personal needs are just as important as educational needs, so I will help students to
appreciate themselves for who they truly are. I will help them to see their potential and do my
best to give them the tools that they need in order to reach that potential. I will help them to see
the differences between themselves and others, and to appreciate those differences. Students
should be able to embrace those who are different from them, and even be excited by those
differences. I will help them to recognize that interacting with those who have different qualities
can provide learning experiences. I want them to understand that while there may be many
differences between them and other people, there are also many similarities.
I will utilize Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences to ensure that I am teaching each
student effectively. Students have different learning styles, so as a teacher, I will be sure to
incorporate opportunities for students to thrive in this sense. This will ensure that every student
gains something and will be able to learn something in their own way. Through remembering the
three broad ways in which students learn- visually, auditorily, or kinesthetically- I will be able to
create lessons that will make all students feel included and able to learn. Providing hands on
activities and team work will be just as important as individual work. This will allow students to
think outside of themselves and to see that people have many different opinions and ideas. This
will allow them to be more flexible in working with others effectively in the future. I will also be
sure to include visuals such as graphs, videos, or images that will help students who learn that
way to relate to the content. I will do the same for students who learn more effectively through
auditory means, by providing them with clips or songs to listen to that will help them to retain
information. I will also be sure to remember the nine other more specific intelligences, so that I
can keep those in mind while teaching. I will use those to narrow down the activities or lessons
that I choose, so that I myself am being an effective teacher. I will also be sure to ask students
which activities, lessons, or aspects of those that they enjoyed the most or felt that they learned a
lot from, so that I can continue to use those methods for their benefit.

Communication is an essential part of classroom function. Without communication,

students will not be able to excel. Ensuring that students are effectively communicating is
essential, and feedback is necessary. It will also be important to teach students how to
communicate with their peers effectively and express their feelings. This is something that will
assist in providing a comfortable atmosphere where students are able to share without concern.
As a teacher, I will also ask the students my own questions, to stimulate problem solving and to
encourage discussion.
Being a teacher means that I will be learning along with my students, and that I will learn
from them just as they learn from me. They will understand that I am also there to learn, and this
will assist them in feeling comfortable with me. This will also provide them with the opportunity
to teach others and to effectively use the knowledge that they have gained to help others.