My developing Teaching Philosophy
Every student that walks into my classroom has a unique personality, history, and story to tell. Not only does this diverse individual need to be celebrated as they are, they need to be pushed to grow into a strong and fuller self. Each student has a different starting point and a different need, but each one needs to be given the opportunity and the drive to reach their full potential. It is my job as a teacher to recognize the student, develop curriculum that is adaptable to their needs, and to create an engaging learning environment that encourages risk taking and question posing while developing a healthy community.
Assessment
Assessment verifies and validates student learning in a concrete example. It helps the student know if they are on the right path and gives them the opportunity to move forward. In an art class, assessment happens continuously. When I walk around a classroom and interact with my students, I am assessing and helping them develop their own sense of assessing their artwork.
Classroom Management
An engaged classroom has students immersed in their learning. If the lessons are personal and pertinent to the student’s needs, it will result in less classroom management issues. Open communication between student and teacher creates a safe environment, and setting the tone at the beginning of a class can help create a supportive community.
Every student that walks into my classroom has a unique personality, history, and story to tell. Not only does this diverse individual need to be celebrated as they are, they need to be pushed to grow into a strong and fuller self. Each student has a different starting point and a different need, but each one needs to be given the opportunity and the drive to reach their full potential. It is my job as a teacher to recognize the student, develop curriculum that is adaptable to their needs, and to create an engaging learning environment that encourages risk taking and question posing while developing a healthy community.
Assessment
Assessment verifies and validates student learning in a concrete example. It helps the student know if they are on the right path and gives them the opportunity to move forward. In an art class, assessment happens continuously. When I walk around a classroom and interact with my students, I am assessing and helping them develop their own sense of assessing their artwork.
- Formative assessment happens when I discuss personal intended outcome with my students on an individual, informal basis. Summative assessment happens in the form of portfolio reviews, class critique, and reflection activities.
- Scoring and Judging must be impartial, so I use a standards based rubric that measures quantitative elements to demonstrate student growth.
- Assessment must be accessible to all learners. I measure the same data I would of any student, but I need to make it available to different learning styles that will accommodate their IEPs.
- Standards exist to make sure that everyone has the same opportunities to learn, so I believe that the standards should be the backbone of my assessment.
Classroom Management
An engaged classroom has students immersed in their learning. If the lessons are personal and pertinent to the student’s needs, it will result in less classroom management issues. Open communication between student and teacher creates a safe environment, and setting the tone at the beginning of a class can help create a supportive community.
- Learning must be accessible to all students, but I may take different approaches to help the student achieve their goal. The learning targets should stay the same, but I may give them different ways to process information that would be accommodating to their needs.
- Students need to be held accountable by having clear expectations and clear consequences. Art should be an engaging and exciting class with the opportunity to communicate to their peers, but there should be parameters that help create a positive learning environment.
- An organized classroom helps students succeed because students can be independent and self sustaining. When students know where supplies are, I can focus on student needs that are more pertinent needs.
- A safe environment is essential for students to fully engage in learning, so I must monitor behavior so that all students can feel safe. Respect to peers, teachers, and supplies is of utmost importance when creating a safe place to learn.
- Creating a network of support for students helps build a positive learning environment. This means I must communicate openly with parents, making both positive and behavioral calls.
- Students should always understand what is going on in the classroom. Communication through emails, websites, and worksheets accommodates students who miss class.