Kathryn Finney

Teaching Philosophy

I have a desire to make a difference in the lives of many children who lack
that guiding figure in their lives. I aim to seek out a students potential and
honor their successes. I want to share essential life concepts with my
students and watch them as they grow and mature overtime. I want to
impart my love for learning onto my students, and enjoy seeing those
moments when they finally get it. I want to instill a newfound value for
education in the hearts of my students.
My role as an educator is to play many parts. I have to be an academic coach
and get my students across their own unique finish line. I will act as a mentor
to some students who have dreams of maybe one day becoming a teacher or
just wanting to pursue their college career. I am viewed as a role model as
well, and I have to keep control of any of my behaviors. I should be working
to teach my students not just talk at them. I will also act as a protector as my
students will be my responsibility, and I am in charge of their safety as well
as my own. Students are to be active participants and become accountable
for their own learning experiences. Students should work to think and then
construct their own knowledge about their learning.
The family should reinforce school practices and students benefit greatly
from a strong partnership among the parent and school. The family should
share the responsibility of education, as learning at home enriches the childs
experience. The family should support the learning of their child. The
community helps to increase attendance within schools and provide
programs for more student involvement. In addition, the community
provides buildings, teachers and teacher assistants the school can utilize.
The community encompasses the elements that would make for a better
education overall.
Students all learn in their own way, and it is up to the educator to teach their
students to better suit the learning styles. Students like to study things that
are relevant to their own life and interest. Using dialogue by asking questions
prompts students to begin generating ideas. Soon afterwards students are
constructing their knowledge, which leads to their own self-discovery. Doug
Lemov says this situation calls for differentiation in the classroom. Instruction
will have to be tailored to meet the individual and special needs requests.

Therefore my teaching strategies will encompass cooperative learning and

real-world context. I will pose creative learning activities that relate to reallife encounters students will one day face. With 21st century learning,
technology is necessary as it enriches a students learning. The online access
allows students to learn and view information in ways those generations
before never could do. I will utilize technology resources; however I believe
they are to be used more by the student than myself. To incorporate content
from other subjects, collaboration with other teachers within the grade level
will be necessary. When a subject is introduced to students in various ways,
it is more than likely the student will be able to better relate to the
information, or at the least their chances are increased.
School is viewed as a social function of society. Here at school students begin
to develop higher values, social responsibility and skills and are exposed to
many other children whom are their peers. School is a part of where students
begin to find themselves and develop the person who they will become. This
is why I am interested in a career of teaching. I can help have a hand in
shaping our future leaders, educators and citizens of America.

REFERENCES
Lemov, D. (2010). Teach like a champion: 49 techniques that put students on the
path to college. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Inc Pub.