Teaching Philosophy

Dignity | Diversity | Responsibility | Trust

 

Dig·ni·ty

/ˈdiɡnədē/

More than just respect.

Respect refers to the act of admiring another for their service, achievements, or status. Dignity refers to the inherent state of being worthy. All students should be treated with dignity because all students have inherent worth as human beings.

This foundation of inherent worth answers the question of why we must treat each other with civility and humanity.

Maslow Before Bloom: Listen to how specific educational practices that support social-emotional and refocusing strategies help students release stress and boost their focus and engagement in the classroom.

We treat our students with dignity when we acknowledge their presence as individuals with basic needs of safety and belonging before academics.

 

Di·ver·si·ty

/dīˈvərsədē/

Not just a buzz-word.

Our world is changing. We are better when we accept and appreciate our differences.

The citizens of the future will be blessed to live in an increasingly connected world. By embracing diversity, we become immersive students in our world, with the ability to learn more, love more, and live more.

Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors: Listen to Rudine Sims Bishop discuss why children need to see themselves reflected in the literature that they consume and to have the opportunities to see other worlds.

Embracing and celebrating diversity in the classroom begins with conscious steps taken every day on choices about lesson instruction, curriculum, literature, and expectations in the classroom.

 

Re·spon·si·bil·i·ty

/rəˌspänsəˈbilədē/

We all have a role to play.

As teachers, we must be held accountable to our communities. We have a responsibility to teach wholeheartedly, responsibly, and effectively.

We instill within our students the responsibility to become lifelong learners.

Oprah Reunites with Her 4th Grade Teacher: Listen to Oprah discuss her relationship with her 4th-grade teacher.

The relationship we have with our students is an incredible responsibility.

 

Trust

/trəst/

Trust in the classroom begins with consistency and reliability.

When we arrive fully present, open, and ready for the day, our students are able to respond with excitement and engagement in the cirriculum.

By creating dependable, honest, and community oriented classrooms, educators can start to develop trust with their students.

Developing trust in the classroom necessitates a consistent and reliable relationship between educators and students.