Philosophy Statement Beverly Dean Children are beautifully complex and unique creatures.

I not only believe that all students have the ability to learn, but that they are all capable of going above and beyond our expectations. These expectations might be academic, behavioral, or creative. All students are individually different, and each one should have a chance to share their gifts. I believe that students learn best by actively participating in different fields of academia, socially interacting with other students, and making their own decisions about what they want to learn. ach student should have a voice! after all we"re engaged the most when learning something that interests us. My ideal classroom will host an environment that constantly responds to student needs. Students in my classroom will learn from hands-on experience, field trips, and public speakers. Society exists through a process of transmission quite as much as biological life. his transmission occurs by means of communication of habits of doing, thinking, and feeling from the older to the younger! "#ewey, $%%&#. $y students and I will use our new skills to tackle issues in society, beyond the classroom. $y students will be aware of the beauty of all different cultures and religions! and will use this awareness to change social inequalities and in%ustices. & ducators need to assume the role of leaders in the struggle for social and economic %ustice. . .' ('iroux, ())*#. $y students will be evaluated on participation and reflection for these field experiences, contribution to class pro%ects, and the knowledge gained from these activities. The most important factor in student achievement is my instructional ability. $y students will have a clear idea of my expectations and desired results. $y students will understand that there are long term and short term goals for each unit. They will know they"re working towards

understanding &)ig Ideas' that span over multiple disciplines. I will always identify *rade +evel xpectations and ,tate ,tandards when planning a unit. To evaluate my students, I will use on-going formal and informal techniques. I will make sure that my assessments clearly match the ob%ectives for the lesson or unit taught. I will start where each student is individually, and base progress off of improvements. I will use fair and valid techniques to assess. I will use my knowledge of different assessments to choose an appropriate way to evaluate my students. Appropriate assessments will be based on the developmental readiness of my students, the sub%ect I am assessing, and my desired outcomes. I will keep record of student progress so that I can change and improve instruction for the future. I will continue to develop professionally and learn new ways to instruct and assess. I believe self-assessment is essential! I will allow students to be independently responsible for their evaluations. I will do this through student-made portfolios and files. ,tudents will be able to choose work from each sub%ect that they feel is their best. ,tudents will be able to present and talk about their work during parent conferences. I believe learning is more than %ust achieving academically. I will allow my students to show me behavioral improvements, creativity, and selfconcept through evaluation as well. + will actively engage my students in an individually responsive environment. ,ach one of my students will have the chance to show progress and achievement in their own way. My students will be eager to show society what they have learned, thus creating necessary change. -ll students are capable of exceeding expectations, if given proper instruction and valid assessments. + will give this opportunity to each and every student that enters my classroom.

References: .ewey, /. .. (0112#. #emocracy and education, an introduction to the philosophy of education. 3etrieved from http455www.ilt.columbia.edu 5publications5dewey.html *iroux, 6. A. (7889#. -merica on the edge. /enry giroux on politics, culture, and education. :algrave $acmillan.