My Instructional Philosophy

My instructional philosophy has been influenced and shaped by a variety of learning experiences. These experiences include not only knowledge gained through the institutional study of the art of teaching, but also real life experience. I have traveled around the world, worked for the government, worked for corporations, and managed my own business. I have taught in several different schools and at several different grade levels. I read avidly and frequently seek out other teachers to discover new ways of improving my teaching. Out of all of these influences, I have developed the following philosophies that are at the root of my instruction. However, as a life long learner and a critical thinker, my philosophies continue to evolve with experience.

Goals of Education

• Develop the abilities of students to become self directed and life long learners.
• Development of analytical thinking and communication skills.
• Provide students with the skills necessary to support themselves and be contributing members of our society.
• Promoting confidence, understanding, and tolerance to maintain our diverse culture.
• Train students to be active and cooperative participants in our democratic system.

The Learning Process

• The application of knowledge provides the best method of retention.
• Constructing new knowledge requires building a foundation by drawing on prior experience and knowledge.
• Setting high and attainable learning expectations leads to increased student performance.
• Learning requires self motivation.
• The development of language abilities is essential to learning.
• Only legitimate success builds confidence.

Assessing Learning

• Assessments must cover what was taught to be valid.
• Multiple authentic assessment strategies should be used.
• Some learning is difficult to measure as it can often blossom many years after school is over.

Duties of the Teacher

• Facilitate the intellectual and personal development that students need to succeed in the real world.
• Be well versed in their subject matter.
• Create and enforce clear boundaries to promote an environment conducive to learning.
• Develop a broad set of strategies to address as many of the different learning styles of their students as possible.
• Develop curriculum that is relevant, sequential, engaging and appropriate to meet the standards for the subject matter and grade level being taught.
• Model clear standards of personal conduct.
• Protect the physical safety of the students.
• Communicate expectations and students' progress in reasonable intervals to both parents and students.

Duties of the Students

• Learning means making mistakes on the path to greater understanding. Do not give into fear, nor promote it in others.
• Learning requires self motivation and discipline. You must learn to provide them for yourself.
• Commit to working with others in a productive manner.
• Learn to manage your time and be prepared for each new learning experience.
• Approach each new experience with both an open mind and critical thought.
• Develop your strengths, but seek out strategies to overcome your weaknesses.
• Obey and uphold the rules that provide order and harmony, but learn to effectively challenge the ones that do not.
• When you need help, ask for it. When others need help, provide it when you can.

Advice on Navigating the World After School

• Some people's perception of reality, will differ greatly from yours. Learn when it must be addressed and when it can be ignored.
• People with valuable skills earn more money, continuing your education helps.
• The most qualified or connected applicant gets the job. You need to work on both.
• Employers and clients are usually only interested in the end result, not the process. Results matter!!
• Appearances do matter. Know the environment and what is expected or work productively to change it.
• People with strong communication skills generally do better.
• You may have to work with people you don’t like, work on your people skills.
• The exception is not the rule.
• People get fired for missing deadlines.
• Not being prepared can cost you dearly.
• Achieving success results from not just working hard, but working smart.