NEENA PIO

6817 Scio Church Rd, Ann Arbor, Michigan • (734) 395·0971 • neenapio@umich.edu

Philosophy of Teaching and Learning

A professor at the University of Michigan once told me that when we talk about language, we are
talking about people; as a result, we cannot separate language from people. We use language everyday to
communicate, to create, and to learn. I believe that everyone should have access to learning these
languages, for the languages can benefit everyone. I believe all languages are important; however, our
society has created a ranking system for languages. “Standard English” and Latin are constantly at the top of
these lists. Frequently, society views the people who have mastered these languages as elite, intelligent, and
well-educated. However, not everyone has equal access to learning these languages. Learning languages and
gaining a deeper knowledge of languages help strengthen students, both academically and emotionally. I
believe that it is my job to teach my students the skills and knowledge that they can take with them beyond
the classroom, so that they may succeed in whatever it is that they desire to do in life. I believe that student
success, both in the classroom and outside of the classroom, is dependent upon a positive and productive
learning environment, a teacher’s knowledge of the students, and opportunities to be challenged.
One goal of mine is to create a classroom environment conducive to learning. In order to create
such a classroom environment, I believe that classroom management is key. If there is no classroom
management, students will not be able to learn. I have to know my students, teach them my expectations,
establish norms with the students in the class, and establish a classroom community. Some students need
quiet to focus. Other students need to be active to concentrate. In order to benefit all students, I aim to
teach my students when we can have open discussions and when we need to respect our peers and work
silent. In my lesson planning, I think about how best to manage the classroom environment to promote the
learning for all students. In addition to the noise level, when students walk into my classroom, I want them
to feel safe and welcomed in the classroom. Students comfortability and willingness to participate is a result
a positive classroom environment. Students should feel comfortable participating and making mistakes, for
mistakes are learning opportunities. want my students to have fun and to enjoy learning. I want them to
discuss the content with each other in a collaborative and thoughtful way. In order to promote positive
learning, I believe good classroom management techniques are essential for a teacher.
Beyond knowing my students’ learning styles, I believe it is important to know who my students
are not only as learners, but as individuals. Students’ background, social identities, beliefs, and interests are
important to who they are as individuals. Every student comes into my class with different perspectives,
background knowledge, and mindsets. I believe that in order to teach my students to be successful in my
classroom and outside of my classroom, I have to take who they are as individuals into consideration. Not
only will this help establish a positive classroom environment, since they will know that I do care about
them, but it will also help them learn. I cannot assume the knowledge that students bring with them.
Furthermore, in order to gain students’ interest in the content, I have to connect the material to their lives
and provide opportunities for my students to connect their knowledge to their lives and communities.
Beyond making these connections, it is important that I am able to read students’ body language. Students’
mental health is important to me. I cannot teach students effectively if they’re not mentally present.
Lastly, I need challenge my students to think deeper, more critically, and more creatively. I
believe that students must learn to be understanding, inquiring, and caring to be productive members of all
of these communities. I try to provide my students a path to developing these skill in my classroom. I want
to give my students opportunities to show their knowledge and go deeper. I believe in giving students
opportunities to show off their creativity through critical thinking rather than forcing them to stay within
the box. Students’ curiosity can enable the students to develop analytical skills, communication skills,
connections, and new perspectives. I believe that these are important skills to develop within my students
so that they may become the best learners, thinkers, innovators, and citizens in today’s world.
 NEENA PIO
6817 Scio Church Rd, Ann Arbor, Michigan • (734) 395·0971 • neenapio@umich.edu

I want to provide my students the skills that will allow them to be successful outside of the
classroom no matter where they go. I want them to be able to communicate appropriately with others, to
know their audiences, to reflect effectively, to think critically, and to be compassionate, and to be a lifelong
learner.To understand a language and a culture, a student should understand their own language and
culture. The way we have grown to approach Latin emphasizes the importance of comparing the language
structure and culture to our own. I want to not only strengthen my students’ skills in and knowledge about
the languages deemed “elite” by society, Standard English and Latin, but I also I want to increase the skills
and knowledge of their own language. Through an increase knowledge in the language, students can begin
to appreciate languages more, the ideas expressed, and the beauty within languages. I want my students to
see all the wonders a language and the people who speak the language have to offer. I want them to have a
deeper understanding of their own use of the language and to have a greater grasp of what they believe. I
want them to have a greater appreciation for life and learning. When we talk about language, we are talking
about people. The languages and the variants that each of my students speak and know are all valid and have
a place in my classroom. I want to teach my students to be proud of who they are and what they know. I
want to give them an opportunity to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of languages to help
increase their ability to succeed in life.