Shayna Bell

7331 State Route 14 * Ravenna, Ohio 44266 * (330)727-8894 * smbell425@gmail.com

My Philosophy of Education

And the one poor child that saved this world and theres 10 million more who probably
could if we all just stopped and said a prayer for them (The Goo Goo Dolls). This line from the
Goo Goo Dolls song Better Days, speaks to me because it matches my belief that all children
can make a difference in this world if they are given the chance to and if we believe that they can
do anything. In order for children to be able to learn and make this difference which they are
capable of, I take the stance of progressive educators and theorists which have come before me.
I support the idea that education should be centered around the child, actively involving them in
the things that they are learning and applying these to the world in which they live in. John
Dewey, Lev Vygotsky, Maria Montessori and Jean Piaget all teach us that young children learn
differently than adolescents and adults, and therefore, need teachers to keep their children in
mind in every step of their education experience. I maintain that I will keep my students as the
deciding factor as how I plan lessons for, teach, and assess them.
As a teacher, I maintain that observation and knowledge of my students, along with
knowledge of the standards will guide my decisions for education. I will provide my students
with multi-sensory learning avenues to allow them to access the knowledge. Having many
activities for the children and I to choose from will allow me to keep the children engaged. My
goal is to be a facilitator of knowledge while helping children make sense of the knowledge as it
applies to their lives and the greater world around them. Differentiating instruction is the only
way to ensure that all students are being provided with the experiences necessary for their
growth. This will be visible in each of my lessons.
As a teacher, I contend that I will have to be able to expand the way that I teach to
conform to the way that my students learn, no matter how that may be. Since we all have
different learning styles, teachers needs to take a look at the students who they are teaching and
see where lesson plans can be modified to benefit the whole class and also where any individual
modifications need to be made for students. Whether it is in providing individual students with
extra help in tutoring sessions, providing more challenging tasks, or making other
accommodations for them in the classroom, all students have the ability to learn as long as they
are given the chance to do what they need to do. As a teacher, I will do my best to accommodate
my students in any way necessary. Howard Gardeners Theory of Multiple Intelligences is a plan
that I will use daily to allow my students to access, practice, and show knowledge in verbal,
visual, auditory, kinesthetic, logical, interpersonal and intrapersonal avenues. I will also make
the children feel as comfortable as they can with asking me questions so they can feel that they
can come to me about anything. I want to be able to give them any support needed.

When students are given the chances they need to succeed, marvelous results are seen by
all. I believe that all students can be successful in the classroom and in their life if they know
that they are cared for and are given opportunities to succeed. In the classroom, I will keep an
environment that is safe and easily accessible for the children and myself, allowing free
movement, order, independence and security. I will also maintain responsibility for the childs
safety and secure learning in their home environment. As a teacher, I will get involved with
students families and do my best to educate them in ways that can be beneficial for the whole
family. I maintain that I will become a second parent to my students, and because of this, they
will be of the utmost importance to me.
As an educator who agrees with The Progressive Theory of Education, I contend that I
will learn as much as possible about each one of my students. I will bring concepts which are
familiar to them into my teaching so that they have an easier time relating to and owning their
education. When teaching my students, evidence based strategies will be used on a daily basis.
As a teacher, I will do my best to understand someone who has a different perspective than I do,
which I believe will make a positive difference for the students that I teach and for myself. I
believe it is possible to make children a priority and still keep sight of what is important in a
teachers own life, if they get help from other individuals who can become concerned with the
child as well. If we all work together, I believe that we can raise children who are well equipped
to handle what the world has in store for them. The children will be able to learn the things they
need to in school; not only academically, but socially and emotionally as well. As long as we
provide a good environment for children, help them to understand information to the best of our
abilities, and really, just listen to them, we can change the world for these children and help
create a better tomorrow.