My instruction methodology will vary depending on the classroom and students. I make it a point to not pin myself down to a particular style because teaching is situational. Learning or the act of learning is an unstoppable force and will happen with or without a teacher. It then becomes the teacher's role to shape the act of learning in useful ways for the student. I believe that school is for everyone, and its purpose is to enlighten. As a whole, society benefits from education by enriching and increasing the knowledge of the people. When people are more highly educated, they have a higher earning potential, will have a greater acceptance of diversity, and be able to make rational decisions better. At the local level, an education empowers students, giving them the tools they need to be who they want to be. I also place great emphasis on the question of "why?" It is my firm belief that the answers to this particular question are a powerful motivational tool. When the question of "why" is answered properly, it has the greatest chance of exciting and motivating students. Once the student is motivated, the rest will fall into place. I believe the acceptance of diversity must be taught in schools in whatever method it takes for the student to understand it. I think the impact of incorporating different cultures into the educational system can be a bumpy process, but the benefits are exponential. In truth, teachers are simply another level of student. Teachers are endowed with the same benefits students are given. I believe teachers must genuinely care about enriching people's lives to have any success within the profession. I believe monetary gain must never be the primary goal of any educator. The key to financial success is to not work for your money but to make your money work for you; an educator should believe this. I do not believe higher teachers' salaries will solve the problem of educational inadequacy. This act will only attract those who are wanting money not those who care about educating the younger generation. I believe everyone is entitled to respect and dignity. Even when a student has violated procedures in my classroom, no belittling or diminishment of a spirit shall take place. I believe in public praise and private admonishment. It takes many people to raise a child; along with this, teachers are a large part of a child's development. I would not go as far as to say, I am on par with the parents, but I will say there needs to be teamwork between the parents of my students and myself to better provide support for the maturing child. Colleagues, too, are part of this team. If everyone helps everyone, then everyone benefits. Professionally, I am on a continuous development cycle that will never end. I have been a full time college student for eight years now and show no signs of slowing down. Soon my development will switch venues to the classroom. I believe teachers must be there for their students and deserve as much of the teachers attention as possible. I will enrich my teaching skills to the point where I would be comfortable enough to advance the educational community ladder to department head, assistant principal, and principal. I believe it is difficult to pin down a specific philosophy I identify with. I believe learning is an inexorable force. People will learn in any situation under any circumstance. As a teacher, it is my duty to shape this force within the student into a successful cognitive mass, so the student may enrich themselves, and possibly others. Along with this idea, I believe students need a great deal of structure over the course of their education. This structure will be my tool to guide students to their own perspective educational goals.
