Teaching Philosophy

I believe school is a vehicle for students to advance their intellect. I also believe that school provides an environment for
students as they participate in their burgeoning psychological and sociological development. In tandem with curricular goals, an education should help individuals garner the knowledge, skills, and dispositions they will carry through their home, communities, and societies. An education should ignite an ability to self-educate, seek the discoverable truth, and foster drive to further improve oneself.

I believe that as an educator, it is my job to facilitate inquiry and self-discovery. A teacher’s role should not to impose ideas or habits on a student, but to assist students in interpreting, and responding to, the knowledge that will contribute to their individual development. A teacher should ensure the classroom provides an environment that allows every student to achieve their fullest potential. Classrooms should be full of light and colour, with hands on materials and a gallery of student work around the walls to encourage and inspire students. Students should sit in groups and be able to learn and laugh with each other.

I believe that students in the North should explore their learning through Indigenous ways of being. I focused my education on Indigenous histories, cultures, and the relationship between Indigenous communities, Southern communities, and the government. I am fortunate enough to teach in the communities I study, and I believe my students should be able to learn curriculum which enhances and privileges Indigenous world-views. Students should be able to relate to the material which is preparing them for their future. I believe that
students should be able to frame their learning through lived experiences. Everything an individual does or experiences is filtered through their own schema. Students should learn curriculum through traditional ways of education; community and Elders need to be involved in the classroom, teachers need to practice oral transmission and storytelling to engage students, and Indigenous examples need to be forefront of every lesson.

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I believe that assessment needs to be approached holistically. If education is geared towards developing an individual
intellectually, psychologically, and socially, assessment needs to reveal how a student is evolving in all areas. Assessment can reveal areas where a student can use assistance, and where they may use their skills to be of service to others. Assessment should be based upon the strengths and interests of a student. Assessment should be differentiated for all learners, insofar that is becomes accessible to all. The option of failure allows students a safe space to try and make mistakes. Assessment should be used to test an individuals ability to understand and apply knowledge, rather than how one individual responds comparatively to a larger whole.

I believe that an education should encourage the development of a multitude of skills. Education should provide individuals with the opportunity to develop analytical and methodical thinking, as well as creative and artistic abilities. Students should be able to access learning regardless of their habits, style, or predetermined disposition. Through this, students will be well-rounded in their knowledge and recognize equal appreciation for both the humanities and sciences.

I believe students should be given the tools of time and energy to better understand their own perspectives and tendencies. Students should be able to develop communication skills which encourage introspection. Students should be encouraged to fail, because failure is the best teacher of all. Success cannot be achieved without recognizing areas of development. Students should have a classroom which allows them to challenge each other, and a teacher who welcomes their challenging opinions. A teacher should be an example of how mistakes are beautiful, teachable moments. Students should face failure and mistakes with each other and not be afraid
to make mistakes.

I believe that education needs to provide students with quality education on sex and relationships, which assist students in developing the ability to form positive and satisfying relationships. Students need access to an education which takes a whole school and whole community approach to mental health. Education should provide individuals with strong work ethic, a sense of accountability, and resilience.Education needs to ensure students are equipped with the ability to resolve conflict and take responsibility. Life is centred around the creation of social bonds Students should be equipped with the ability to think through scenarios and decisions which inevitably arise in life, not only for personal successful endeavours, but for the success of an inclusive Canadian society. Education, therefore, needs to marry traditional curriculum with social and psychological skills.

As an educator, it is my responsibility to nurture skills in my students so that they may be successful in all avenues of their life. My goal as a teacher is to connect people to their minds, bodies, and spirits. Students should be able to reach their highest potential. i aim to be of service to ays students by demonstrating belief in individual abilities and providing support necessary to meet academic demands. My classroom is a space for students to study the many aspects of life - both the fundamentals of a subject and the way my students understand the world. It is important to me as an educator that I assist my students in developing intellectual and social skills that will prepare them to be life long learners. For me, success as a teacher is seeing my students understand the academic, individual, and social responsibilities of their studies, as well as the impact of their choices.