What a teacher believes about both teaching and learning can have a major impact on the classroom environment.

Your Education Philosophy Statement (2-3 pages in length): A teaching philosophy is a self-reflective statement of your beliefs about teaching and learning. Please read the BMCC Student Teacher Handbook and the NAEYC standards to guide your philosophy statement. Your teaching philosophy should discuss how you would put your beliefs into practice by including concrete examples of what you anticipate doing in the classroom. As you draft your philosophy statement, keep in mind:

1. What a teacher believes about both teaching and learning can have a major impact on the classroom environment

2. Teachers tend to implement classroom practices that reflect their philosophical beliefs.

3. A well-reasoned personal philosophy can provide a basis for appropriate decision-making and action.

To get started, note common themes or topics that catch your attention as an aspiring teacher. Then, make some notes on the following:

1. Your concept of learning: Ask yourself such questions as “What do I mean by learning?” and “What happens in a successful learning situation?”

2. Your concept of teaching: What does a perfect teaching situation look like to you? Why do you consider this “perfect”? What is your role as a teacher?

3. Your goals for students: What skills should students obtain as the result of your teaching? You may think about your ideal student and what the outcomes of your teaching would be in terms of this student’s knowledge or behavior.

4. What methods will you consider for reaching these goals and objectives? What are your beliefs regarding learning theory and specific strategies you would use?

5. Your interaction with students: What is your attitude toward guiding young children? How would an observer see you interact with students? Why do you want to work with young children?

6. Specific examples: How are the values and beliefs noted above realized in classroom activities?

7. Professional growth: How will you continue growing as a teacher? What goals do you have for yourself and how will you reach them? How have your attitudes toward teaching and learning changed over time?

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