Establishing Trusting Relationships

I am an AACPS: Teacher, Seven Oaks Elementary School | 2019 Teacher of the Year Honoree

My philosophy of teaching is very simple. EVERY student is capable of learning. Our district currently has a focus on “ALL MEANS ALL,” and that has always been a philosophy that I internalized since my very first teaching experience. It may sound a bit cliché, but I wholeheartedly believe all students are capable of learning and achieving high levels of academic achievement and success despite any disadvantages and/or challenges they may face. Every student has different needs and a different style of learning that can be and should be met by their teacher. It starts with building a relationship with EVERY student.

I feel it is our job as educators to determine every student’s individual needs and learning styles, and that can only be done through building relationships with each student. Every student that we encounter has different needs and comes from various home situations. Having knowledge of this helps in understanding students and being able to establish a trusting relationship with them that will allow the “educating” to begin. Once students’ needs and learning styles are identified, educators must use differentiated instruction to educate the students; this should be accomplished through constant small group and individualized instruction throughout the school day. I have witnessed the positive results of this type of instruction numerous times with many students, which is what has developed my love for teaching. The feeling I get from seeing a child accomplish a learning and/or behavioral goal that the both of you have been working hard at is indescribable and one of the best feelings in the world! In closing, my philosophy of education is simply that every student can learn when their needs and learning styles are adequately met.