Educational Philosophy and Technology

My Teaching Philosophy

I believe providing a safe supportive classroom environment will promote students to feel valued, included, and empowered. In doing so I will lead by example and provide guidelines for them to do the same, with their peers. I will start the school year with a social contract where students have the opportunity to contribute to our classroom rules. This can be done by asking students: how should you treat your classmates, how should classmates treat you, how do you want your teacher to treat you, and how should we all treat each other when there is conflict? A social contract allows students to find meaning behind classroom rules and expectations and through experience are more willing to follow. To assist students in following classroom rules and expectations I'd love to set up a positive behavior system where students are rewarded for their hard work. 

I believe all students are capable learners with the right instructional methods and strategies. In the teaching profession there's no one-size-fits-all motto we're all unique in the way we process information and learn therefore I will strive to meet the needs of all of my students. I will plan my lessons to reach out to all learning styles: visual, auditory, reading and writing, and/or kinesthetic. I believe students learn best through each other and hands-on; it allows them to be active participants in the process. This goes hand in hand with assessing my students to drive instruction. Knowing what my students are grasping from the lesson or what they don't understand allows me to differentiate instruction to ensure I'm reaching each and every one of them. Incorporating a Multi-Tier System of Supports starting with universal design during whole-group instruction to addressing Tier II small-group instruction or Tier III one-on-one support allows me to meet all my student's needs. I believe learning should also be engaging and authentic making it meaningful to their lives allows students to make connections and extend their learning beyond the classroom or a paper-pencil test which often is carried in the short-term memory bank of their brains that slowly seeps out in order to make room for the following set of information, concept, or skill. 

I am passionate about learning and hope to instill the same love for learning in my students by providing a variety of teaching methods and strategies all while making it authentic and engaging. Through these strategies I hope I can guide my students to reach their highest potential. I will learn from my students just as much as they learn from me! 

Experience with Technology

My experience with technology comes from an educational viewpoint, both as a student and teacher. As a student I was required to research using a variety of online databases and create presentations. As a teacher I am now finding new ways to reach out to my students to facilitate instruction and learning. I have experience working with Microsoft Software whether it’s Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher. I know how to navigate my way around a computer and/or laptop. I’ve worked with projectors, SmartBoards and document camera readers. I’ve also used grading programs, and have monitored students as they work independently on programs such as SuccessMaker, Reading A-Z, and Math V Lab. I’ve used remind to stay in communication with classmates and professors. Kahoot! Quizzes are an alternative to paper-pencil assessments. Brain Pop and YouTube videos allows me to deliver information to students using visuals and demonstrations. 

Technology Integration 

Technology integration refers to using technology in the process of planning, delivering instruction, and learning. Students can learn through the use of technology whether its demonstrations, videos, projectors, online games, or applications. Technology is a great way to connect with our students and engage them. 

Technology in the Classroom

Technology has become part of our everyday lives and a great resource to aid students’ learning. I plan to use technology to assist me in reaching out to my classroom families, lesson planning, as well as to teach new concepts, information, and skills. Technology allows us to reach out to all of our different learning styles; show examples or demonstrations live/real-time for all to see, short videos, and virtual games. There are hundreds of educational websites, programs, and apps made to keep students engaged while learning such as Math V Lab or Jeopardy simulation to review for a unit test. These programs also assist teachers in individualizing instruction by assigning areas of weaknesses for students to review. Communication apps such as Remind assist teachers to stay in communication with parents without having to give out their personal phone number or Class Dojo allows teachers to notify parents of their child’s behavior. I believe it’s important for teachers to make use of what’s provided within their classroom and to take into account the accessibility students and their families have to technology outside the classroom. For example, Remind may work at one school but phone calls and emails may be the only way to reach out to some parents.  embed technology the lesson planning and deliver through it during instruction, to give students a more authentic learning experience.