Personal Teaching Philosophy

Education is defined as the act or process of acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and of intellectually preparing for mature life. Early Childhood Education aims to help children gain independence, confidence, and success as life-long learners through use of a positive, supportive, child-centered environment. This environment can be effective if it is focused on the children’s interests and needs. Children learn through active participation, hands-on experiences, and the freedom to explore and question various objects, occurrences, or activities. The teacher’s role is to provide these opportunities for the students by planning developmentally appropriate lessons and activities that are meaningful to the students in the classroom. These lessons must be challenging, yet achievable, and the teacher must provide facilitation and support for the children. The teacher must also create a classroom environment that allows students to appropriately express themselves socially, intellectually, creatively, and confidently. This can be accomplished by the same appropriate actions and respect from the teacher, but also by assessing each student authentically and through multiple forms and strategies. The teacher must use the same principles in guidance and discipline. It must reflect the children’s natural and logical levels, followed by appropriate, consistent consequences. In order to meet the needs of the whole child, families must be an integral part of the children’s learning experiences and development within the classroom. This can be implemented through collaboration with families in planning, implementing, and reflecting on lessons and activities done in the classroom. Children will have the opportunity to develop into confident, independent, successful life-long learners through the implementation of these standards in a positive, supportive, child-centered environment.