Philosophy of Education

I have taken up the profession of teaching for a multitude of reasons; of these the most important is that I simply want to make a positive difference in the lives of young people. Saying such a statement does not mean I feel I need to be John Keating of “Dead Poets Society” - jumping on top of desks, imploring students to "seize the day". Instead, it boils down to the fact that I hope students of mine look back on my class and feel as though I was invested in their success.

Too often in today’s world we see students lost in the shuffle of everyday life, not knowing who they are or what they want to become. It is my belief that teaching should be focused on educators embracing diversity with a foundation of respect for the students and the subject being taught. Every adolescent struggles with a multitude of issues ranging from hormones to family problems. The last of their worries should be to feel uncomfortable within a classroom. Through mutual respect between students and the teacher, it is my goal to make my classroom one in which students feel comfortable and eager to learn. Getting to know students’ names and inquiring about their interests are at the base level of this process, however, prove to be incremental to the success of each student. As an educator I must embrace the differences each student brings with them. Our nation is becoming more diverse by the minute, yet, much of what is taught in today’s schools is not open enough to this diversity. Engaging learning around this reality allows for teaching to become a much less manufactured and artificial experience.

Specifically, within an urban setting, an education can serve as a necessary resource for upward social mobility. Students in these areas have historically been underserved and this reality has resulted in a population of have and have-nots in terms of educational wealth. I look forward to the challenge of closing this achievement gap and believe that through the process I will continue to grow as an aspiring Champion Teacher.