Teaching Philosophy
I believe that learning a second language can open endless doors for students. My goal for teaching students Spanish is to show them how language can expand their worlds and present opportunities for them in all areas of their lives. I believe that language can foster a sense of appreciation and understanding not only of the language and cultures being studied, but of other countries and communities as a whole. I want to empower my students to use language to make connections with global communities. Overall, I believe that learning another language is an asset to students no matter what path they plan to take, and I strive to show students how beneficial language skills can be for their futures.
In my class, students gain skills and competencies necessary for communication in Spanish. Students learn and improve through speaking, listening, reading and writing in varied circumstances and modes in accordance with New York State and ACTFL standards. However, I believe that communication alone is not the goal. I hope to create an environment where students feel comfortable using their voices. Taking risks and being unafraid to make mistakes is part of learning any subject, but I feel it is especially so with foreign language. The motto in my class is “It is okay to not know, but it is not okay to not try”. By this I simply mean, language learning does not happen overnight. It is a process developed over time; students will make mistakes and be unsure, but as long as they are putting in their best effort, they will be able to be successful.
In language learning, I believe it is important to incorporate a variety of teaching methods and activities. Through lesson design, I work to ensure that many different learning styles are addressed within each lesson. I include group work, lecture, individual practice, simulations and interactions, and other methods and activities to ensure that I am addressing the needs of as many students as possible. Varying the type of activities present in a lesson ensures that students are practicing skills in new ways and gaining more opportunities to hone their skills. I also strongly believe in the integration of educational technology in the classroom. Students today are digital citizens in a way that no generation has been before; using technology as a tool to complement and guide instruction helps students develop skills that will benefit them in the future and makes their learning relevant and meaningful to them. Technology integration also improves my practice as a teacher because it helps me think about the content I teach and how I can best present it to students in new ways.
As with varied class activities, because each student is unique, it is important to incorporate different assessment formats to address these unique learning styles. In my classroom, students can expect a combination of projects, traditional tests, and presentations. I believe in offering choices to students in order to allow them to demonstrate their learning in the way best suited to them while still ensuring they are meeting the necessary standards; as such, I frequently offer “choice boards” to allow students to choose how they will demonstrate that they have mastered a specific skill. While traditional tests are necessary and important, I believe that offering choice to students empowers them to make conscious decisions about their own learning, needs, and abilities.
It is my hope that every student feels welcomed, safe, and comfortable when they enter my classroom. My primary goal as a teacher is always building connections and relationships so that all students know they will be accepted and heard in my class. Students are much more receptive to learning and hard work if they know they are in a space where they will be supported. I also want my classroom to be physically welcoming. Creating an organized, bright, colorful and pleasant space can make students feel confident and comfortable, which can lead to greater success.
As an educator, I always want to continue growing and improving. In order to do this, I believe that research and collaboration are key. I believe that collaborating with other teachers within my department and school makes me a better teacher because the insight we can share with each other is so beneficial. I also frequently connect with other educators through different social media platforms and am able to research best practices in this manner as well. I enjoy being able to connect with educators that I may not otherwise have the chance to interact with. I also strive to take part in webinars, conferences, and courses whenever possible to ensure that I am constantly learning. I believe teaching means being a lifelong learner and I believe there is always room for me to grow as an educator.
In my class, students gain skills and competencies necessary for communication in Spanish. Students learn and improve through speaking, listening, reading and writing in varied circumstances and modes in accordance with New York State and ACTFL standards. However, I believe that communication alone is not the goal. I hope to create an environment where students feel comfortable using their voices. Taking risks and being unafraid to make mistakes is part of learning any subject, but I feel it is especially so with foreign language. The motto in my class is “It is okay to not know, but it is not okay to not try”. By this I simply mean, language learning does not happen overnight. It is a process developed over time; students will make mistakes and be unsure, but as long as they are putting in their best effort, they will be able to be successful.
In language learning, I believe it is important to incorporate a variety of teaching methods and activities. Through lesson design, I work to ensure that many different learning styles are addressed within each lesson. I include group work, lecture, individual practice, simulations and interactions, and other methods and activities to ensure that I am addressing the needs of as many students as possible. Varying the type of activities present in a lesson ensures that students are practicing skills in new ways and gaining more opportunities to hone their skills. I also strongly believe in the integration of educational technology in the classroom. Students today are digital citizens in a way that no generation has been before; using technology as a tool to complement and guide instruction helps students develop skills that will benefit them in the future and makes their learning relevant and meaningful to them. Technology integration also improves my practice as a teacher because it helps me think about the content I teach and how I can best present it to students in new ways.
As with varied class activities, because each student is unique, it is important to incorporate different assessment formats to address these unique learning styles. In my classroom, students can expect a combination of projects, traditional tests, and presentations. I believe in offering choices to students in order to allow them to demonstrate their learning in the way best suited to them while still ensuring they are meeting the necessary standards; as such, I frequently offer “choice boards” to allow students to choose how they will demonstrate that they have mastered a specific skill. While traditional tests are necessary and important, I believe that offering choice to students empowers them to make conscious decisions about their own learning, needs, and abilities.
It is my hope that every student feels welcomed, safe, and comfortable when they enter my classroom. My primary goal as a teacher is always building connections and relationships so that all students know they will be accepted and heard in my class. Students are much more receptive to learning and hard work if they know they are in a space where they will be supported. I also want my classroom to be physically welcoming. Creating an organized, bright, colorful and pleasant space can make students feel confident and comfortable, which can lead to greater success.
As an educator, I always want to continue growing and improving. In order to do this, I believe that research and collaboration are key. I believe that collaborating with other teachers within my department and school makes me a better teacher because the insight we can share with each other is so beneficial. I also frequently connect with other educators through different social media platforms and am able to research best practices in this manner as well. I enjoy being able to connect with educators that I may not otherwise have the chance to interact with. I also strive to take part in webinars, conferences, and courses whenever possible to ensure that I am constantly learning. I believe teaching means being a lifelong learner and I believe there is always room for me to grow as an educator.