I believe that teaching is an opportunity to develope life-long learners.  As a teacher, it is my goal to do just that for my students.  I want students to be inspired to continue their education and bring out the best in them and their learning.  Teachers should be the facilitator or a guide to learning, not just the knowledge-giver. Learning occurs naturally in the learner when a teacher has presented the material in a way that works for the learner. It is the teacher's responsibility to do that.

    Most of your students' learning happens in the classroom.  I believe that in order to have an effective classroom, it must be in a democratic environment. In other words, all members of the classroom are considered equal as thinkers, learners and teachers. Everyone's thoughts and feelings must be respected in the classroom.  At the beginning of the year, work together as a class to come up with rules the everyone feels comfortable with.  Make sure the rules are not too many in number and general enough to where everyone understands them.

    Learning must be valuable in order to be valued. It is my responsibility as a teacher to ensure that my students are getting the most from the instruction. The lessons I teach need to be targeted towards various learning styles and put into "real life" contexts so students can relate. Giving students choices in their learning helps motivate them to learn because they feel empowered.  For example, in assigning a research project, I could allow students the choice to complete the assignment in various ways that are all worth the same amount of points.  They could choose to do a PowerPoint presentation, write a well-developed research paper, or create an art project representing the researched material.

    As a teacher, it is important to expect great things from all learners.  Set the standards high enough to challenge your students but not too high where they can not be obtained.  Teachers need to know their students personally as well as academically.  Their lives outside of the classroom can have a huge impact on what they are doing and how they are learning inside the classroom.

   Throughout the many years of my educational career, I am aware that my philosophy will change.  I plan to attend educational seminars and conferences to grow as an educator.  In order to enable my students to become lifelong learners, I must be one myself.