Teaching Philosophy

The job of the teacher is a consuming role that is an essential part of society. Without teachers, there would be no doctors or lawyers. Teachers provide society with the foundation upon which people live their lives. Teachers not only need to have knowledge, they also need to be able to convey this knowledge in an interesting and effective way to their students. Being a teacher is not simply about pouring information into the heads of their students; teachers also play the roles of mentor, parent, counselor, and nurse. The information they convey to their students encompasses so much more than simply math, reading, science, and social studies. Teachers serve to prepare their students to live fulfilling and educated lives.

As a teacher, one comes in contact with a multitude of unique individuals. Everyone who steps foot on this earth is unique in some way. Even in a racially and culturally homogeneous classroom, everyone is a unique individual. It is important for teachers to understand and convey their understanding that everyone is different, but that individual differences make life more interesting and livable. By being around differences, people learn. Teachers need to help their students understand that it is okay to be different; it is okay not to know something or to not be as proficient in a certain area as someone else. People have different strengths and different weaknesses, but that does not make one person better than another. The role of the teacher is to help people learn, to help those who do not know; if everyone knew everything and was proficient in every subject there would be no need for teachers. We are all unique and special individuals who will never see an end to learning regardless of age. Even teachers continue to learn. They do not know everything; nor will they ever reach the point of knowing everything.