Rina

__** Philosophy of Education **__ media type="custom" key="21490654" align="center"

In order to have a successful classroom, every teacher must maintain a positive environment where learning is encouraged. The initial goal of being a teacher is to make a difference because we truly care about the education of our youth and want a fulfilling job. However, in more recent years with the overload of classrooms and high-stakes testing, teaching is thought of as a very difficult and impossible job. Motivation declines with all the frustrating factors thrown at teachers. Teacher-student relationships are fundamental in creating a successful learning environment. The best teachers are the ones who relate to their students and understand their wants and needs. The most successful teachers are those who consider their students’ emotions and every aspect of their lives. The more willing the teacher is to listen the more willing the students are to learn. The reluctant learner needs to feel like they matter and that their opinions count for something. Good teachers make their students the center of the classroom. While teaching, it is important to make sure your students are comfortable in voicing their opinions and asking questions about the information. It is very common for students to be afraid to have a voice because they are fearful that they may be wrong. I relate my educational philosophy to that of my career choice. The study of the deep connection between understanding the brain and how it works for speech, language, and communication really sparked my interest. The ability to interact through communication, I believe, is something that is taken for granted. We don't always realize how often we use communication in our everyday life. Whether it is a facial expression, verbal sentence, or a simple hand gesture, we use these tools to build relationships and express our wants and needs. However, there are numerous amounts of children and adults who are not blessed with such abilities. I believe that every human being should be given every opportunity out there in order to grow and be successful. In dealing with speech disorders it can became increasingly frustrating for the client as well as the clinician. I cannot imagine how it would feel to know what I want to say, and when I’m ready to say it, it doesn’t come out. It’s like trying to start the engine of your car and the battery is dead. Most people have a hard time seeing beyond their current situation. Through experience and learning I can save a life or help them overcome their obstacle. As a Speech Language Pathologist I feel as though my career has purpose and can help better the lives of children and adults of all ages.

- (Divided into sections in the brain) ** 1) ** ** Encourage learning: ** **Classroom Management: The environment can greatly affect the function of the classroom and the success of the student**.
 * Appropriate Levels of Leadership:
 * Provide strong guidence & support;
 * Clear and consistant rules/procedures
 * Clear learning goal
 * Assertive behavior- confident, fair, and consistant
 * Classroom as a Learning Team:
 * Take into account personal interest
 * Have equitableand positive interactions
 * Construct flexible learning goals;
 * Differentiate instruction
 * Provide choices


 * Be Aware of High Needs Students:[[image:http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/coach_gs_teaching_tips/Classroom%20Management.JPG width="347" height="255" align="right"]]
 * Passive
 * Perfectionaists
 * Socially inept
 * Attention problems;
 * Inattentive
 * Hyperactive
 * Aggressive;
 * Hostile
 * Covert
 * Oppositional

2) Positive Relationships: __ PIAGET'S STAGES OF COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT __
 * Create and focus on a positive learning environment by carefully planning the layout of the classroom and its materials (i.e. open vs. closed).
 * Teachers should model desired behaviors. Have a positive attitude (One of my favorite quotes is, “Leave your problems at the door”).
 * It is important for your students to recognize your goal as a teacher, so be passionate about what you are teaching
 * Manage time efficiently.
 * Teacher-student relationships are essential to having a successful teaching/learning experience.
 * Relate to students and understand their wants and needs (show you care).
 * Be familiar with developmental milestones (including, learning process and cognitive deveopment).
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 * Consider students’ emotions and home lives.
 * Listen and make them feel important.
 * Make students the center of the classroom in order to encourage confidence in voicing opinions and asking questions.

** 3) ** ** Instruction of Knowledge (Differentiate Learning): ** [|Peer Review: Click Here] I did! I will.  I think I can.  I might.  I wish I could.  I can't.  I won't.
 * First step is organization. The more organized the teacher and the classroom is the more relaxed the students are.
 * Plan and prepare lessons and materials that are age appropriate. Prepare for lessons not to work and change lesson on the spot.
 * Engage and challenge students with information they will interpret and apply to every aspect of their lives.
 * Keep students interested and convey information through different learning styles, readiness, and interests.
 * Provide scaffolding to students who may need it.
 * Have a good background in different teaching strategies
 * Learning-to-Learn Strategies- create open minded learners. They give students strategies to be more focused and self-regulatory.
 * Power Thinking: creates self-esteem and motivation of learning.

** 4) **[|Assessment of Learning]:
 * As teachers, we need to know that what and how we teach is making an impression on our students.
 * Formative assesstment- before instruction; not for a grade
 * Summative assessment- after learning to measure achievement
 * Criterion-referenced testing- test scores are compared to a set standard
 * Norm-referenced testing- test scores are compared to average performance of same population
 * We have to assess student progress and learning in order to make adjustments to either help or further challenge them.
 * Students are able to identify their strengths and weaknesses through the assessment process.
 * I believe it is important for the students to be included in their own assessment. This not only avoids stress but also increases motivation.
 * I will: **
 * Have a system of assessment of a student’s participation level and effort during a lesson.
 * Monitor behavior management and incorporate a system other than grades.
 * Incorporate and encourage students to take an active role in the grading policy.
 * Stick to the established grading criteria in order to avoid unfairness.
 * Differentiate instruction in the area of product to give students a variety of ways to apply the information learned.
 * Develop rubrics for appropriate assignments and include students in the development process. I have found that students more easily understand expectations when they have helped establish them.
 * Make responsibility, preparedness, and respect a key component in my assessment process.
 * I will not: **
 * Lower a student’s grade based on interest level of the lesson.
 * Lower a student’s grade based on tardiness, absentees, or late assignments.
 * Penalize a student for missing information not specified in a rubric or assessment protocol.
 * Penalize a student for handing in an effortful assignment that lacks mastery of the knowledge content.

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 * As with any profession we need to constantly be up to date with new procedures and policies.
 * We must assess ourselves and attend conferences to gain more knowledge about the field.
 * It is always nice to hear about to research and finding.
 * Think of it this way; Would you want a doctor who has not learned of the new findings in the medical field?