My Teaching Philosophy
Seeing the Possibilities in Every Child
I believe that every child has the potential to be a lifelong learner and go on to do great things. The beauty of early education is that children are still learning fundamental skills that they will use throughout their academic careers, and the rest of their lives. A great educator will nurture each of these children and teach them how to best teach themselves. Students often learn differently, so it is truly about connecting with the child and forging future relationships with educators in the future.
"Everyone is a reader...some just haven't found their favorite book yet." -Anonymous
Inquiry-Based Learning
I believe that inquiry-based learning is a quintessential part of the learning process. Students flourish when they have a part in the learning process and construct their own ideas about topics. By creating an environment that invites students to ask questions and genuinely learn helps lay the foundation for students to become lifelong learners.
Student Choice Promotes Reading and Literacy
Current trends in education do not allow for much student choice. Students are often required to read certain books and resources based on their reading level. The media center allows for students to choose books based on their interests rather than what books are on their reading level. I believe an un-leveled media center allows for student to read what they are interested in, not what they are required to read. This promotes a lifelong love of reading and creates a safe space for students to grow.
Collaboration is Key
The best learning experiences for children require a team of educators working together. I believe that collaboration is key in the success of children's learning. As a librarian, I work with every other educator in the school. This means that I can be a facilitator in collaboration across disciplines, promoting inter-disciplinary learning.
Embracing Change (It's Not Just About the Books)
I firmly believe that the field of librarianship is changing. I welcome this change and am excited about the challenges that it brings. Librarians are capable of doing so much more than simply checking out books, especially with the increase of technology and information available online. The term teacher-librarian does not scare me; I see it as an honor to be considered an equal to the students' classroom teachers. I hope to become much more of an active part of students educational careers; helping educate them and open their eyes to their own potential.
I believe that every child has the potential to be a lifelong learner and go on to do great things. The beauty of early education is that children are still learning fundamental skills that they will use throughout their academic careers, and the rest of their lives. A great educator will nurture each of these children and teach them how to best teach themselves. Students often learn differently, so it is truly about connecting with the child and forging future relationships with educators in the future.
"Everyone is a reader...some just haven't found their favorite book yet." -Anonymous
Inquiry-Based Learning
I believe that inquiry-based learning is a quintessential part of the learning process. Students flourish when they have a part in the learning process and construct their own ideas about topics. By creating an environment that invites students to ask questions and genuinely learn helps lay the foundation for students to become lifelong learners.
Student Choice Promotes Reading and Literacy
Current trends in education do not allow for much student choice. Students are often required to read certain books and resources based on their reading level. The media center allows for students to choose books based on their interests rather than what books are on their reading level. I believe an un-leveled media center allows for student to read what they are interested in, not what they are required to read. This promotes a lifelong love of reading and creates a safe space for students to grow.
Collaboration is Key
The best learning experiences for children require a team of educators working together. I believe that collaboration is key in the success of children's learning. As a librarian, I work with every other educator in the school. This means that I can be a facilitator in collaboration across disciplines, promoting inter-disciplinary learning.
Embracing Change (It's Not Just About the Books)
I firmly believe that the field of librarianship is changing. I welcome this change and am excited about the challenges that it brings. Librarians are capable of doing so much more than simply checking out books, especially with the increase of technology and information available online. The term teacher-librarian does not scare me; I see it as an honor to be considered an equal to the students' classroom teachers. I hope to become much more of an active part of students educational careers; helping educate them and open their eyes to their own potential.