Teaching Philosophy

Joseph Lanza
Philosophy Preface:
My teaching and coaching philosophies are both built on many different teaching,
coaching, and learning values that will help ensure the success of each one of my students.
Responsibility and trustfulness are two main values of mine when teaching and coaching. Both
teachers/coaches and students/players need to be responsible for students and athletes to grow
and develop in their sport, or in education. Growing up I remembered all the responsibilities I
had as a student and athlete. The more a student trusts their teacher the stronger the relationship
and the connection is between them is, which allows for that student/athlete to be the most
successful they can be. Past personal experiences I have had play a major role in why I choose to
become a physical educator. I have had many teachers and coaches who I trusted and had a good
relationship with, and there are some I have not. I realized that all these teachers, and coaches
that I had a good, strong relationship with really helped me develop as a student and athlete and
allowed me to be successful. These teachers and coaches motivated me to be the best I can and
always work hard, they have also motivated me to push, and teach others so that they can be the
most successful they can be as a person.

My teaching philosophy is driven by the concept of preparing each of my students for a

healthy and successful life after their education. It is essential that my students are provided with

curriculum-based tasks and assessments that cover all three domains of learning: psychomotor,

cognitive, and affective. Each of these domains must convey the understanding of each given

activity, lesson, or task for a student to be successful. Goals and student expectations will be

clearly provided in my classes and students will always know what they are working towards,

and why. It is my responsibility to provide students with an appreciation for physical activity

because of all the benefits that come along with being physically active and physical education.

In the classroom/gymnasium it is my responsibility to be dedicated and empathetic when

I am teaching. Every student of mine will have a different skill set and as the teacher I will

provide students with the proper resources needed to succeed at their level in and out of physical
education. It is my responsibility to assess the most effective ways each class/student learns, and

to adapt accordingly by creating a curriculum that is suitable for all my students. Lessons must

be adapted and modified based on the class or the individual. I will have a positive learning

environment that listens to student’s opinions and allows for them to communicate to with me

directly and peers throughout parts of the lesson. I will listen to their needs and learning styles

and make the necessary modifications or adaptations.

One of my main responsibilities as an educator is to create a positive class culture.

Students will understand that the learning environment I implement is welcoming and equal to

all learners. A goal of mine as a physical educator is to be trusted by my students. By developing

a trust for one another, my students and I could work together smoothly which will help students

be successful. Students will always be placed in their least restricted environment and always

have the challenge by choice option, which will be influenced to overcome throughout the school

year. All students will be given equal opportunities to learn and apricate everyone’s differences

with open minds and appreciation. It is my responsibility to recognize student differences and

problems they might have, and to make that student/s feel comfortable talking to me about their

concerns. If my students have issues or need help, I can provide them with the support that is

needed, and if I can’t, I will help that student find the help they need.

Learning tasks and environments will be altered based on the different needs of students.

Students will always be reminded of safety, so we are participating in the safest environment

possible. Students are expected to behave in a safe, cooperative environment that provides them

with opportunities to engage in many different activities. With my welcoming and enthusiastic

personality, students will feel a sense of accomplishment by overcoming challenges in a

challenge by choice environment. I want my students to work hard and accomplish things they
never thought they could have and apply that determination to life outside of school. My students

will learn to develop and demonstrate values for physical activity, movement skills and concepts,

responsible behaviors, and fitness knowledge.