Teaching Philosophy
Every interaction I have with my students, what I say and how I say it, and the environment I create has an effect upon them and me. I believe that it is humanity’s purpose and deepest biological and spiritual nature to humanize ourselves and each other as individuals and communities.
Humanization is whatever makes us more fully human and makes us see each other as more fully human. To better recognize humanizing practices in teaching, I have identified the principles of connection, belonging, compassion, and creative agency. Love is the motivation for all humanizing action. It is a risk that must be taken to be more fully human.
Creativity, like love, is intrinsically, but not uniquely, human. Facilitating creativity for my students and myself is deeply humanizing. Creativity is one of the main ways along with laughter, affection, breathing, and exercise that we humans defuse stress, releasing in a positive way the physiological energy or tension from stress hormones.
As a teacher, I am committed to being a model leader that sees the individual, contributes to a cohesive community, and protects a calming, invigorating, and equitable learning environment. Model leadership is loving, anchored in humility, proximity, and vulnerability. Maya Angelou said, “You do the best you can until you know better and then you do better.” A leader should be vulnerable at times and admit mistakes, learn from those mistakes, apologize if necessary, and change, modeling a growth mindset. I recently saw a music teacher remind her class of this value when she asked her third grade students, “Is it okay to make mistakes?” They responded energetically, Yes!” “Do we need to fix the mistakes?” And with the same energy they chorused, “Yes!” I emphasize this value in my classroom by pointing out mistakes I make and how I then learn from them.
Another part of being a model leader as a teacher is proximity. Proximity is both a physical and mental effort in teaching. As I frequently circle my classroom I check in with each student. During instruction that proximity is also prioritized by checking for understanding, “Why do we need to push the wax down really hard in making a wax resist painting?” Effective leadership is humble and open to feedback. Communication needs to go both ways. Each week I give students the chance to anonymously write down feedback, “One thing I wish my teacher knew was...” My relationship with them as a leader is by that nature always adjusting and adapting to them.
Once a first grade student was overwhelmed by turning a scrap into a picture by drawing it. I knelt down next to her “It’s hard when we don’t know what to do. Can I help you think of some ideas?” By the end of the class she had drawn to fill the whole page a picture imagined from that scrap.
Humans are biologically wired for connection, physically and emotionally: we are a social species. We crave belonging (a result of reliable connection). Compassion enables connection and connection inspires compassion. Community is built on collaboration through shared goals, music, and humor. I have a humor board in my room where throughout the year we collect quotes, jokes, memes. I watch a weekly funny video with my class. We each contribute to a playlist to listen to while we work.
Each individual is a unique, physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social being. I recognize that truth of myself and each and every student. Dr Joanne MacLennon describes it as an “unconditional positive regard for each child”. Each week I make “shoutouts” to students who have exceptional progress or shown sincere diligence. I am dedicated to knowing each students’ name, noticing their needs in the classroom and in their learning. I work to validate emotions, ask how students are doing and listen to the responses, and express love.
CLASSROOM DESIGN
A streamlined, simplified learning environment can help focus the class and minimize distracting behavioral problems. Our physical environment has a profound effect upon our mental state, creativity, and interactions. Time in nature and even exposure to the colors green and blue are connected with stronger mental health and increased creativity. Thus integrating nature into the learning environment is a priority for me as a teacher. As a small contribution to a more calming and creative environment, I carry a plant with me to the classrooms I visit and my own space is decorated with plants. Other ways that I am mindful of the teaching environment is to keep windows open when safe and comfortable. I also take my students to work and be outside as much as reasonably possible.
In addition I try to create a warm and welcoming learning environment without making it visually overwhelming and distracting. The front of the classroom where most instruction happens is void of any non essential posters, etc. Research shows that sparse classrooms are more beneficial to student learning (https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797614533801). A section of the classroom is dedicated to displaying student work. Another section will be regularly updated and added to by the students with examples of inspiration connected to current projects.