Final Philosophy of Teaching
Complete a 3-5 page narrative summary of your philosophy of teaching. Please use the following format to organize your paper.
Begin with an introductory paragraph about who you are and where you are in your professional journey.
Write six paragraphs focusing on the six original questions from the beginning of the semester (listed below). Be sure to include properly formatted, in-text citations for the information you paraphrase or quote from your text!
Define your Pedagogy – what do you believe is your role in teaching children to learn? (this heading could be titled “My Pedagogy”)
Developmental awareness – what is your believe about the role of child development on your teaching?
Families and Communities – where do families and other stakeholders in the community fit into your teaching
Child Guidance – how do you believe children should be guided?
Diversity and Inclusion – what is your belief about working with children who differ from you in race, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomics or ability?
Assessment – how and where does assessment occur in your teaching?
Each paragraph should include a heading summarizing the focus of the question and one in-text citation with page numbers.
Finally, you will include a brief closing paragraph summarizing your overall philosophy and how it will continue to grow and change as you continue to develop as an early childhood professional.
Introduction
My name is Hannah Mann. I’m just starting out on my journey in the world of early childhood education, and I couldn’t be more excited. This has been my first semester at the University of Cincinnati, and I currently work at Corban Early Learning Center in Mount Auburn. My favorite age group is the 1-2 year olds, and I am working on becoming the best teacher I can be. I love to paint, draw, listen to music, and go outside. I have a kitten and a bearded dragon, and I love all animals.
My Pedagogy
My pedagogy revolves around making sure that each child has access to a nurturing and supportive environment where children can explore, discover, and learn at their own pace. My role as a teacher is to be a guide and facilitator as well as speaking up for the kids, their needs and wants. I want to create engaging and hands-on experiences inside and outside of the classroom. I aim to meet each child where they stand developmentally, recognizing their unique strengths, interests, and learning styles. I want to empower children to love learning and want to learn.
Developmental Awareness
Child development is the heart of learning. Understanding the stages of child development is essential for tailoring my lesson plans to meet the needs of each child. By recognizing the milestones and growth areas, I can create developmentally appropriate activities that support children’s physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. Child development is the foundation for my teaching practice. Staying informed about the latest research helps me adapt and refine my approach to best meet the needs of the kids in my classroom.
Families and Communities
Families and communities play a crucial role in my teaching philosophy. I believe that education is a collaborative effort that extends beyond the walls of the classroom. Learning must continue at home because families are a child’s most influential teachers, and I see myself as their partner in their child’s learning journey. I strive to build strong relationships with families based on open communication, mutual respect, and trust. Families know valuable sources of information about their child’s strengths, interests, and cultural backgrounds. Also, collaborating with local organizations, businesses, or volunteers can help to connect the classroom with real-world contexts and resources. This can provide children with diverse and meaningful learning opportunities.
Child Guidance
Diversity and Inclusion
Assessment
References (please use this book to reference)
Feeney, S., Moravcik, E., & Nolte, S. (2013). Who Am I in the Lives of Children? Prentice Hall.
