First and foremost, I plan to create a safe, secure, and caring environment where

students know that their ideas, opinions, and suggestions will be respected by the
teacher and the class. Students will know that there is more than one right answer
and everyone’s opinion will be noted and valued. I will create an environment where
students are constantly challenged, but also supported. As a class, we will create
a stimulating atmosphere that allows students to grow and mature emotionally,
intellectually, physically, and socially. I want my classroom to be a place where all
students can learn without fear of failure and a place where they can succeed
based on their individual efforts, talents, and interests.

I believe as teachers we are life-long learners, and this is what I need to instill in
my students each year. Every student can learn, and individualizing instruction is
the best way to reach each learner. I believe that all students should be given the
opportunity to learn at their level to make them a successful, productive, active
member of our classroom community. Each student's success level is different, and
this success comes with accomplishing personal goals. In order to accomplish these
goals, I will experiment with and adapt a wide variety of teaching methods
(including visuals, auditory, verbal, and hands-on work) to ensure that the needs of
all my students are being met. I aim to create classroom activities that will be
engaging and personalized for each class.

I want to instill a passion for learning in each child. It is my goal to challenge my

students daily with learning that is meaningful, engaging, and purposeful. Students
should be motivated to want to learn and apply what they learn in the classroom to
their daily lives. My goal is to provide my students opportunities to grow and
become critical-thinkers and problem-solvers. In my classroom, I will provide my
students with inquiry-based lessons and real-world situations so they may learn to
conquer issues at school as well as in their lives outside of school. Just as I self-
reflect as a teacher, students need to become self-reflective in order to improve
upon areas of difficulty and build upon areas of strength.

I believe students must actively participate in and take responsibility for their
learning. I will support this belief by communicating with parents so that students
are supported both at school and at home. I will also foster success by providing
options for students when going through formative and summative assessment. I
understand that some students may be unable to communicate their learning in
writing but will be able to communicate their learning verbally or through pictures,
so I will adapt my assessment practices to ensure that all students are able to feel
successful and supported in their learning.
The redesigned BC curriculum has a focus on enabling and supporting personalized
learning. One way I plan to personalize learning is through inquiry. Inquiry
activities will encourage a sense of wonder and curiosity among my students and
give them a chance to explore situations however they see fit. There is a great
quote that has helped shape my beliefs around teaching and student inquiry: “each
time one prematurely teaches a child something he could have discovered
himself, that child is kept from inventing it and consequently from
understanding it completely.” – Jean Piaget. I aim to be flexible and adaptable
in my teaching every day, to ensure that my students stay excited about and
invested in their learning.

I will be sure to teach all my students to embrace the diversities of their

classmates. Whether those diversities are cultural, ability or gender-oriented, my
students will understand that not only is everyone different, but they will be
successful in our classroom and accepted for who they are. An important aspect of
the new curriculum is the focus on First People’s Principles of Learning and
aboriginal perspectives. I will incorporate these teachings into our daily routines
and lessons whenever possible by inviting guest speakers or creating lessons that
focus on these different perspectives, whether that be through videos or hands-
on activities. I hope to include indigenous knowledge so that indigenous students
feel comfortable in their learning environment, and so that other students are
comfortable as well.

In order to ensure my students are intrinsically motivated, life-long learners, I will

need to lead by example. I will always strive to express my dedication to student
success and convey my passion for learning. I aim to bring an open mind, a positive
attitude, and high expectations to the classroom each day. Teaching is a process of
learning from your students, colleagues, parents, and the community. This is a
lifelong process where I will learn and develop new strategies, ideas, and
philosophies. Over time, my educational philosophy may change, and that's okay.
Growing and learning new things is exciting! I hope to instill those beliefs in my
students as well.

Overall, I hope to be a positive influence on my students. I will help each student

feel safe and comfortable in my classroom by building relationships and giving
continuous support both academically and socially through positive reinforcements
and effective classroom management. My goal is for every child that enters my
classroom to be curious and excited about learning when it comes time for them to
leave.