Philosophy Statement

Self expression is essential to growth, especially in the adolescent years when we are still

figuring out who we are, what we value, and where we see ourselves in the future. Things that

keep us up at night - our passions - are what keep us alive. Without them, we are prone to fall

into monotonous routines, which can feel meaningless and dead. I believe the purpose of

education is to give young people the opportunity to learn about themselves so that they can find

the thing that will keep them awake with wonder and drive them towards an exciting future.

English is an excellent and necessary tool in this process, as language is the primary form of

expression and communication across disciplines.

Jim Burke’s approach to adolescent English literacy instruction is one example that matches

my personal philosophy. Burke stands out to me because of his background with education,

having barely met the marks to graduate high school. He is an example of one of the many young

people who felt the academic world was not for him. Only after years of feeling directionless in

life following high school did he finally decide to try forcing himself into the world of academia.

He is now dedicated to making that world more accessible to young people who think they do

not stand a chance.

Like Burke, I believe that the best way to help students access academic success is to meet

them where they are and tap into their interests. The goal is that they will be able to identify a

purpose for learning that aligns with their passions and desires. If we teachers can inspire

enthusiasm for learning in any form, we will create gateways to the academic world and beyond.

Burke and I both believe in the importance of academic writing, but like he states, “students

should also use writing to think, explore, and understand what they are learning” (Burke). While

I aim to guide students to master critical literacy skills, another one of my goals is to help
students see the value of reading and writing outside of academia as well, as a tool for

expression.

I value the uniqueness of every individual student, and I will invest a lot of time and energy

into understanding their specific needs and strengths. My hope as an English Language Arts

teacher is not necessarily to force all my students to claim writing as their one and only passion,

but to help them find and access their passions using the English language as a tool. I will

encourage students to use this tool in a variety of ways, according to their interests and strengths.

I have found my passion in teaching, and I am excited to help others find theirs, too.
 References

Burke, J. (2017, March 22). Jim Burke. Retrieved October 25, 2020, from

http://www.englishcompanion.com/