My philosophy as a teacher is the student-centered philosophy of Progressivism.  Progressivism is best identified by the ideas of learning through real world experiences and testing ideas.  This philosophy fits me best because I have always been an enthusiast of hands-on learning, and believe that students learn best from this type of teaching and classroom environment.  I believe that people learn the most through experience, and this would be the best way for the student to learn and understand valuable and needed information.  The Progressive philosophy shapes me as a teacher in the way that not only are the students partaking in learning experiences, but I also get to learn from them.  By seeing how they interact amongst those who share the same race and culture as well as those whose background differ from their own, I as the teacher, get to learn from their real world experiences in my classroom.  In my Progressive classroom, the children will work in groups as I monitor them constantly and attend to them as needed.  They will discuss with one another the assignments and projects and will be encouraged to assist one another with their studies and learning.  Through these activities, the students will learn more about each other and have a better grasp of the idea of the subject that they are studying.

            I believe that every student in the classroom should be treated as an individual and that every culture and diverse aspect of each student should be respected.  Every student in the classroom should be aware of the other’s differences and realize that being different is what makes everyone unique and special.  No one is to be treated without respect for any reason, especially due to their differences in diversity.  I will reach the diverse students in the way to make them feel comfortable, that they are no different or less educated than the rest of those in the classroom.  I will also do my best to make the students realize that being diverse is what makes this world so interesting and exceptional.  The students in my class will not treat others with disrespect due to differences; I will work so they will learn to appreciate the diversity within our classroom.

            My legal, ethical, and professional responsibilities as a teacher are to make sure that my students are surrounded by a positive and safe educational environment everyday.  It is my responsibility that all students are protected to the fullest extent and that if and when something goes wrong the correct persons will be notified and the problem will be taken care of immediately.  Each student should come to school for the sole purpose to learn, and not to worry about anything happening to them.  I will work to ensure that this is the case, and that they come to school for an education and are never in any dangerous or harmful situation.

            My core values are very important and influential to how I will teach my class to the best of my ability.  I believe that everyone should be treated the way they wish to be treated, and if everyone followed this Golden Rule that a classroom would maintain a positive atmosphere for friendship and learning.  A good moralistic teacher is also a necessity for good teaching and schooling in a classroom environment.   I believe the teacher should hold their core values as one of the most important aspects of teaching.  If the teacher considers these values to be truly important, the students will most likely emulate the teacher’s moral beliefs and make for a wonderful classroom setting.

            I want to teach because I truly believe that it is the most important job in the world.  Even though some may believe that the professions such as doctors and lawyers are the most important, someone had to teach them to become those things.  It is the teachers that give everyone an education, the most important thing a person can have.  I want to be able to give someone that gift, because I know I hold my education as one of my greatest possessions.  An education is the basis to your entire life; it shapes you to who you ultimately become and what you do throughout your life.  I want to give that gift to as many people as possible.  I want to know that I helped aid in someone’s success, that I helped further their education.  That is one of my sole purposes in life.