Teaching Philosophy
My philosophy towards teaching stems, first and foremost, from a deep-seated belief in the value of education and the innate potential of all children to learn. For me, education in Primary Schooling is more than just an accumulation of knowledge; it is a forum for the social, emotional and intellectual growth of students and the learning of how to learn. Early education should support children to acquire the skills and attitudes necessary for life-long learning and success in twenty-first century society.
"Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think."
- Albert Einstein
In order to provide the best possible atmosphere for this growth, I endeavour to create a fun, stimulating classroom environment in which students:
Learn through ‘seeing’ and ‘doing’, by way of hands-on activities and authentic experience as often as possible
Engage in critical and higher order thinking, always encouraged to respond creatively and to question 'why'
Are responsible for their own learning, able to work both independently and collaboratively with peers
Value participation and ‘trying your best’ as more important than always having the right answer
Respect their peers and staff alike, including others' opinions and right to learn without distraction
Volunteer their thinking and make mistakes without fear
Are simultaneously challenged and supported to meet standards that are high but fair
Understand the relevance and real-life purpose of their learning, with tangible links to home and the wider global community
Find confidence and self-belief through encouragement of their strengths and value as individuals
"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
I have always felt that modelling as a teaching tool is not limited to skills, but also applies to attitudes and behaviours; thus curiosity and enthusiasm for learning are integral to the way I interact with and around students. ​ I always strive to lead and teach by example, demonstrating the qualities that I encourage in my students such as patience, compassion, honesty and tolerance, as well as willingness to improve and to learn from my own mistakes.
"You will not be good teachers if you focus only on what you do and not upon who you are"
- Rudolf Steiner
This philosophy of learning and teaching aligns with both the Principles of Learning and Teaching and the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program approaches to education, both of which value educational environments which challenge and extend student thinking, respect diversity and connect with the world outside of the classroom.