Jennifer Hutchisons Philosophy of Teaching

My Philosophy of Teaching
My teaching philosophy is not static. It is ever changing. It will change with time and
experience. Just as my students will learn from me, I will learn from them and it will lead me to
try new things and ways of teaching. Just like when I was in elementary school we used
computers just for the sake of using computers, we practiced how to type correctly but that was
all. Now we have 21st century leaners who are able to use computers as a tool for achieving
almost anything.
Though my philosophy will develop and change the basic foundation principles will say
the same. My teaching philosophy is based on the idea that every student has a right to learn
and succeed. I believe every student can reach their full potential if they have the chance to
thrive in a classroom environment that is safe and secure. A place where students are able to
have a voice and do not live in fear of making mistakes.
I think an important part of giving every students a chance to succeed is recognizing that
every student does not learn in the same way. Students need to be given the freedom to
experience their learning in different ways. Every student comes into a classroom with
knowledge, thoughts and questions. As a teacher I feel that is my job to harness the thinking the
students already have and guide them through their learning. I believe in teacher facilitated
student centred learning experiences that allow students to construct knowledge and learn real
life critical thinking skills. I remember hearing and saying to myself various times during my life
why are we learning this math? Ill never use it in my real life? If a student does not see a
relevant connection to their own lives how will a student find motivation to learn from it.
I remember everything about all of my favourite teachers. I remember them because of
how they made me feel, not necessarily what I learned from them. My first and second grade
teacher had a real impact on my life because she not only was able to teach me two grades but
she was able to enrich my classroom experience so that I went beyond what the other students
were doing and had a chance to read beyond the expected level. I contribute those two years to
the reason I have become an english major and even a teacher. My mother always encouraged
my love of reading at home but that teacher was the one able to bring that out of me. School
was not always place I felt confident. In math class I always felt inferior because I lived in a fear
of making a mistake. Teachers shape the way we see the world and I want to shape the way
students learn, in the same way my first and second grade teacher did for me.
Students should be given content that will challenge them and help them discover what
they think and feel about the about the world. But with high expectations comes the need to also
flexible to allow for multiple student learning.I want to foster creativity by allowing choice where
students can freely explore their strengths and weaknesses. Students should have the right to
expect fair treatment and multiple opportunities to succeed.
My beliefs have a strong collection to the theorists Kohn, Bandura, Vygotsty and Bruner.
Alfi Kohn theories suggest that students should have an active voice in the classroom with the
ability to have a meaningful impact on the curriculum. Students should not be just sitting
listening to a teacher all day and be expected to be soaking it up like a sponge. It wont happen.

Jennifer Hutchisons Philosophy of Teaching

That is not real life. Students need to become activity involved in their communities and things
they care about. Using strategies like project-based learning will create life long learners
because the students will develop problem solving and critical thinking skills. I also believe as
Alfi Khon does that doing this will make learning intrinsically motivating for students.
Vygotsky and Bruner also suggested that students learn best when given the opportunity
to express their thoughts and collaborate with peers. Bruners theory explains that we need to
teach students how to learn, but we can not forget to look at children as thinkers who have their
own theories about the world. My beliefs have a strong correlation with Vygotskys theories on
constructivism. Students need to construct their own knowledge in collaboration with their peers
to able to grow, understand and learn.
Similar to Vygotsky, I believe it essential to work to where each child is at
developmentally. I believe in using scaffolding, by providing support to students working in their
zone of proximal development or the area just beyond a students level of development. I want
to challenge students but not go to far as to discourage them.
Another theorist and theory that I find myself correlating with is Banduras idea of selfefficacy. Self efficacy determines what a student believes they are or are not capable of. A
students self-efficacy is often created through past experiences, successes or failures. If a
student is made to feel like they will succeed, they become motivated to try new things, and
leave the fear of failure behind. This is something I hope to achieve in my classroom.
In conclusion students are successful when they work cooperatively in a positive
learning environment that is positive, fun and student focused. Positive energy and laughter
brings about genuine connections and creates a classroom community. Genuine connections
between teachers and students are the foundation in which everything else is built.