Teresa Carey | EDUC 399 |

Teaching Philosophy
MODULE 8

Introduction
I believe that each child is unique therefore each one needs a
safe, diverse, and stimulating learning environment in which they can
grow and learn physically, socially, mentally, and emotionally. As an
educator, I feel it is my duty to help students succeed to their highest
potential in all subject areas, by providing a classroom that is secure,
supports a growth mindset, meets International Society for Technology
in Education (ISTE) standards, and integrates technology. 21st century
skills and college and career readiness are essential to the success of
our students. My philosophy stems from a need of wanting children to
succeed. There are 3 main concepts that drive my philosophy: (1)
lessons are student-centered & teacher driven, (2) promoting a growth
mindset, and (3) allowing technology to aid students in their learning.
Concept 1 Student centered and Teacher driven
I believe in using the 80-20 ratio, in where a teacher uses 80% of
the time to have students involved in an activity and only 20% of time
on lecture or teacher driven instruction. Having a student centered
classroom will allow for more time to have students completing handson assignments. Students will be involved and in charge of their
learning while the teacher facilitates their learning. The teacher's role
is to guide, monitor, and support their learning. The 80-20 model will

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allow the teacher to create more Web-Quest, research projects, and

other lessons in which students are in charge of their learning using
tools such as technology. Also, this will allow the teacher to meet with
ELLs or other diverse learners. Not only that, but it allows students
time to communicate with each other, building their social skills and
ability to learn from one another.
Furthermore, this concept meets the 1st ISTE standard which is
Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching, and
learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student
learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual
environments (ISTE.org). This is significant because we need students
to get out of the box and show what they know. It is also essential
that our diverse learners are given ways and time to show what they
through non-linguistic representations. This concept leads right into my
second belief of promoting a growth mindset.
Concept 2 Promoting a Growth Mindset
It is essential for students to come to a safe, warm and
welcoming classroom. In order to welcome diverse learners we must
let them know that any stage of learning is a safe stage; this is where
growth and fixed mindsets play a big role. According to Stanford
University psychologist Carol Dweck, Mindsets are beliefs-beliefs
about yourself and your most basic qualities. Growth mindset lets

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students know that they are allowed to make mistakes, they are
allowed to fail, and most importantly they are allowed to grow. A
growth mindset invites them to share their ideas and see mistakes as
opportunities to grow.
However, students will come into the classroom with a fixed
mindset, one in which they believe talent determines success. It is an
educators job to help them change this mindset, and open their minds
to be growth. This is a key component to helping ELLs, by letting
students know that their intelligence is not determined by talent, will
allow the students to challenge themselves and take chances. In my
own classroom, I have also seen this help students to motivate each
other, my class often uses the phrase youre on the right the track
and I can see students telling each other that when they are working.
Accepting the struggle and sometimes failure will build the students
determination to learn and grow.
Concept 3- Integration of Technology
Equally important to teacher instruction, and growth mindset is
having the opportunity to explore, share, and expand their learning
using technology. Developing a curriculum that integrates technology
in order to foster intrinsic motivation and stimulate their passion to
learn and share. This will allow students to explore their creativity and

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knowledge using different applications and software. The 2nd and 3rd
standards of ISTE are for a teacher to design and develop digital age
learning experiences and model digital age work and learning
(ISTE.org). To enhance students 21st century skills and prepare them for
college and career readiness technology is a must.
According to Pitler, Hubbel, and Kuhn in Using Technology with
Classroom Instruction that Works, our students must learn not only to
use current technologies, but also how to evaluate which ones work
best for particular tasks or projects. In my classroom we use IPads
and desktop computers for many reasons. For example, students make
the choice of whether to use a desktop to publish their writing by
typing it up, or use the IPad to publish their writing by record
themselves reading it, or using an application to turn it into a
PowerPoint/video. It is necessary for students to know the multiple
ways of using technology, and the software that works best for them.
Conclusion
For myself, teaching provides an opportunity for continual
learning and growth. One of my hopes as an educator is to instill a love
of learning in my students, as I share my own passion for learning with
them. In order to get my students to love learning as much as I do, I
will have to model my beliefs in a fun and engaging matter. That is why

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making sure I meet 21st century skills needs is essential. In conclusion,

I believe the 3 concepts I follow will prepare students for college, future
careers, and life in general.

Work Cited
Dweck, C. (2006). MINDSET. Retrieved December 5, 2015, from
http://mindsetonline.com/whatisit/about/
Pitler, H., & Hubbell, E. (2012). Using technology with classroom instruction that works
(2nd ed.). Alexandria, Va.: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Standards for Teachers. (2003). Retrieved December 5, 2015, from
http://www.iste.org/standards/ISTE-standards/standards-for-teachers

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