Vision Statement
My goals as a teacher have developed over the past semester, while student teaching at Pinckney Elementary. I hope to infuse literature and art into all subjects that I teach. This semester I have been teaching two blocks of math and science. By integrating literacy and art into these subjects, my students became more involved and interested in the subjects. As an aspiring Elementary teacher, I hope to instill an authentic love and intrinsic motivation for reading and writing. The goal for my students would not only to learn the material, but also to reflect why and how that material affects their lives.I hope my classroom is an engaging, trustworthy and risk-free place where students can easily express suggestions, opinions and concerns.[1]
My goal as a teacher would be to transform my classroom into a community. This community will not only be a place of learning but also a place of social interactions. As stated in the social cognitive theory and social constructivist theory of Vygotsky and Bandura, students will learn from social interactions within small groups and from observing models. Our classroom community will be the highest priority.
My desire to teach has stemmed from my tutoring experiences during my college career. I have worked with students in grades, 1st, 4th, 5th,, 6th and 7th grade in several subject areas including English, math, reading and writing. I have also worked with children in the Big Brother Big Sister program in college and high school. I love helping students achieve their goals and feel more confident in their learning ability.
My college tutoring memories of helping the rural under-resourced students have remained with me and I came to realize that the basic needs of a student such as food, safety and security must be met before the student is able to concentrate and learn. These basic needs, explained by Maslow’s hierarchy, were always provided for me and I hope that I can provide students with an education and an environment that meets their needs. I hope to maintain my classroom as a stable and secure place for my students.
[1] Miller, D., & Anderson, J. (2009). Cutting the Teacher Strings. The book whisperer: awakening the inner reader in every child (p. 37). San Francisco, Calif.: Jossey-Bass.