Educational Philosophy
"The function of education, therefore, is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. . . . Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education."
— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"The Purpose of Education," Morehouse College, 1948
Education should be an engaging, student-centered experience that encourages development of critical thinking
skills, cultivates a lifelong love of learning, and helps students become ethically responsible members of a 21st-century society. I believe the way to deliver such an experience is by providing students with opportunities to engage in interdisciplinary, culturally responsive, project- and inquiry-based learning that builds on their strengths while supporting their challenges.
I strive to integrate all of these principles into my practice by collaborating with colleagues to develop authentic, cross-curricular units of study. I firmly believe that students internalize learning best when they can see the skills they are learning applied across different contexts and content areas throughout their day. I use technology, process drama techniques, real-life application of concepts taught (where applicable), and differentiation to meet the individual needs of each of my students. I aim to foster a love of learning and target different learning styles through visual, auditory and tactile methods and stimuli. I also work to allow my students to express understanding and mastery in a variety of ways. In my classroom, we tackle problems by communicating, working together and exhibiting a growth mindset.
One way that I ensure I am meeting my students' needs is by getting to know each of them as individuals and as learners. I work with my students to create a caring community where their individuality is understood, respected and celebrated, and where their voices are heard and their opinions valued. Together we create a community based on respect for ourselves, each other and the classroom. Community building also extends to families, and I believe it is critical to involve students' families in their education, especially in our current reality. By working together with families, I can best ensure that I am meeting my students' academic, behavioral and social needs and providing each of them with the environment in which to accomplish their best learning.