My Philosophy
I never wanted to be a teacher. When setting off for college, my plans were to become a writer or an editor because writing is my passion. Thank goodness a professor on campus saw in me of what I hadn't yet become aware. I AM a teacher. That man changed my life forever. I cannot see myself in any other profession. Just as every other newly graduating teacher, I was required to write a philosophy of education – quoting Bloom and Piaget and others of theory. I was out to change the world and be the best educator ever. Looking back I giggle and shake my head knowing full well that my pipe-dream philosophy of education was a farce. After a decade of charging through the field, I have refined my philosophy into four “R’s”.
RelationshipEvery student yearns for relationships whether it is with their parents, their friends, or any other number of people. I think this is the most important job I have as an educator, no matter if I am in the classroom as a teacher, working with students and teachers as an instructional coach, or as an administrator managing student behavior. Building and maintaining relationships with students assists with buy-in of the other three "R's". I cannot provide reliance, regimen or relevance unless the relationship with them is there.
RegimenGiving regimen to students is of the utmost importance. Children thrive when they know the boundaries in which they may roam. It is not to say that there is no push back or limit testing. This is a given. But when limitations are provided and students understand their freedoms within those limitations, a great depth of knowledge is achieved. It is the responsibility of any educator to set limits and boundaries for students all the while maintaining relationship and reliance. Building positive relationships and earning students' trust make continuing a regimen easier to maintain.
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RelianceOnce a relationship is built with a student, there is a sense of reliance, one of trust, that ensures the student's ability to take well-placed risks and grow as an individual. Students rely on me to nurture and care for them as an individual. I am a mentor and guide of their education and personal growth, and they know they can count on me to take care of their needs.
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I believe every child is an individual. Each exhibits unique qualities. Every student who walks through the door comes with their own individual background, knowledge, abilities and talents. They are not some blank canvass of which I have complete artistic control. Although they may be thirsty for knowledge, they are the creators of their own destiny. I am simply a guide. My job is to challenge, correct, encourage, intrigue, engage, define, and mentor. I am to instill passion, teach accountability and responsibility, provide understanding and create lovers of learning.
Theory can be argued and discussed, but everything boils down to the individual. It is my goal to reach every individual placed in my care through relationship, reliance, regimen, and relevance. I will guide and nurture every individual to reach their ultimate potential. In my classroom, each knows they are cared for and part of a larger community. They have fun along the way, and each student develops into the best they can be.
Theory can be argued and discussed, but everything boils down to the individual. It is my goal to reach every individual placed in my care through relationship, reliance, regimen, and relevance. I will guide and nurture every individual to reach their ultimate potential. In my classroom, each knows they are cared for and part of a larger community. They have fun along the way, and each student develops into the best they can be.
The Power of Teaching and Building Relationships
One of my all-time favorite movies, Dead Poet's Society starring Robin Williams, encompasses how I view myself with building relationships with my students. Not that I ever want my students to revolt or rebel, but I strive to have the kind of relationship with my students where they know I support them in their learning processes. Below is a scene from the movie that brings tears to my eyes every time accompanied with the Walt Whitman poem O Captain! My Captain! on which this scene is built.
O Captain! My Captain!
O CAPTAIN! my Captain! our fearful trip is done; The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won; The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring: But O heart! heart! heart! O the bleeding drops of red, Where on the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead. O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells; Rise up--for you the flag is flung--for you the bugle trills; For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths--for you the shores a-crowding; For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning; Here Captain! dear father! This arm beneath your head; It is some dream that on the deck, You've fallen cold and dead. My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still; My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will; The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and done; From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won; Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells! But I, with mournful tread, Walk the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead. Walt Whitman |
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