Philosophy of Teaching MathMy philosophy of teaching is that all students are able to learn, however, it is up to the educator to utilize differentiated instruction in order to support the educational and motivational needs of those students. As a future educator, my aspirations are to improve student confidence, foster students’ desire to learn and encourage mastery and I believe that, in order for students to reach their full potential, these goals need to be met.
Teaching mathematics to an elementary student is so important as it is detrimental to a student’s success throughout the rest of their educational career to be fluent in mathematical strategies. For example, in order for a student to be able to move forward in their mathematical career they must first understand simple operational skills. Ensuring that students understand how important it is to know math in the real world is one way to motivate students’ desires to learn. In order to ensure each students’ academic success I will be sure to utilize multiple teaching methods to differentiate instruction in order for each student to reach their full potential. Using methods such as team-based learning and cooperative learning can help a student feel more comfortable in their learning as well as feel more motivated in following their journey. For example, the use of partnerships during exercises such as utilizing stations in the classroom is a great way to make sure that all students are not only supported, but are also able to work collaboratively with their peers. In addition, utilizing problem-solving strategies throughout the entire curriculum, such as the use of word problems, promotes critical thinking in students rather than saving these types of problems for the end of the year. I will be sure to assist my students in education, but also allow them to have a say in their learning journey. My role as a teacher will not only be to teach the instructed curriculum, but will also be to guide the students while supporting them in shared responsibility for the functionality of a classroom as my ultimate goal as a teacher is to create a safe, effective and motivational environment where students are not only able to learn well, but also feel as if they are part of something bigger than simply learning a lesson in a classroom. |