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Amber Garrett
Education 201
Professor Saladino
May 2, 2015
Philosophy of Education
I chose to become a special education teacher for two reasons. First, was my experience
with my own son who I found out was Autistic after a grueling year of tests and therapy which
opened my eyes to all whole new reality of the obstacles my child and other children like him
face in education. Second was the deficit of educators available to help these children through
these most critical years of their development birth 6 years old. I better than most, know
what these kids are capable given the proper environment, encouragement and professionals
who understand how to motivate them. In addition to my life experience raising a non-verbal
Autistic son, and my nephew who is 3 months younger is also Autistic. These reasons inspired
me to get involved in a way that I think I can make an impact. Through Nevada Early
Intervention, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy twice a week, and having a child
enrolled in CCSDs program Autism Early Childhood since age 3, I have learned a great many
things about navigating through the many aspects of Autism and how to teach my Autistic child
in the most beneficial ways for him to learn.
The education system in general is complex. Special Education in many ways can make
the system even more complex. Teachers in special education are expected to be more

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dynamic then their peers in general education in their methods of teaching while still
maintaining a very structured and sometimes rigid system of data based on each students IEP,
to properly monitor progress and meet goals as required by each students IEP. This in many
ways can become a juggling act between tailoring each students education experience
according to their IEP needs and meeting the classroom needs overall. A special education
teacher is also faced with the unique situation with being one member of a team of educators
and other specialists involved in the education plan of each student. This means the teacher
must be able to work cooperatively and in collaborative manner to ensure the best outcome for
each student.
There are two components to my philosophy about education. The first of which is
pedagogy. Its my belief that a teacher should always encourage students to be life-long
learners by being the example and endeavoring to remain dynamic, passionate life-long
learners themselves. In addition, a teacher should strive to be innovative in instruction, to apply
the principles and methods of teaching in ways that promote collaborative classroom
experiences where students are inspired to take an active part in their education. The second is
the psychological orientation of the teacher and the classroom environment. The teacher has a
responsibility to provide a classroom climate that promotes a student-centered approach at
learning. The teacher must create classroom structure by implementing rules and setting class
expectations, but must provide balance by doing this in a way that includes students as active
participants in the standards and expectations they are held to. A teacher must take into

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account, culturally relevant pedagogy, gender fair education, and different learning styles; all of
which affect the psychological orientation of the students and classroom experience.
As a teacher I would employ strategies based on positive reinforcement, re-direction of
counter-productive behaviors and provide a studentcentered approach to learning. I approach
teaching styles according to the intelligence profile of the students in the classroom while
holding them to achievable expectations and realistic goals. As a teacher I welcome diversity
and encourage all my students to respect and appreciate diversity in all aspects of their lives.
Understanding and implementing culturally relevant pedagogy will help towards inclusion of
student variability. Assessment should be done through measurable goals documented by the
teacher from the collection of data based on both project based and problem based learning.
This data will then be compared against the standards set forth to provide accurate information
for each students strengths, weaknesses, and progression.
There are many qualities an individual should possess to move forward in this career.
Among them include, an understanding and true appreciation for the grade level of students
one is teaching. A commitment to provide a classroom environment that promotes respect,
and teaches conflict resolution and socially acceptable communication through group learning
as well as challenges students with problems and projects that promote collaborative group
thinking in order to help develop a creative learner for life. I must endeavor to create a
classroom community in which students share a sense of common purpose and shared values
so classroom management is done with more ease as everyone is working together. This will
emphasize trust, care, and support for one another. Above all, it is my responsibility to provide

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a physically and emotionally safe classroom where both student and teacher are respected and
held accountable for their actions. After receiving my AA in Special Education it is my plan to
continue on to my Bachelorette in Special Education, and then ultimately receive my Masters.
Along the way I plan to substitute teach to gain more experience. Through my education
experience and my experience with my own son as he grows, I plan to accumulate a wealth of
knowledge and tools that I can implement in my own classroom.