BELIEF STATEMENTS
In this section, you will find my belief statements on the following:
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Education, Teaching and Learning
Commitment to Student and Student Learning
Professional Knowledge and Teaching Practices
Leadership and Learning Communities
My Philosophy on Catholic Education
OVERALL BELIEF STATEMENT
My overall beliefs on Education, Teaching and Learning
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I believe that the teacher is the facilitator and coordinator but not the dispenser of knowledge. I am committed to being a guide for my students, to provide them with information and allow them the opportunity to discover for themselves. I am committed to providing hands-on activities and allowing for appropriate time and space to use materials and build knowledge.
I believe that students learn best when they are actively engaged. I also believe that one of the main purposes of education is to develop students’ abilities to think critically and integrate ideas, rather than to accumulate facts. I am committed to incorporating learning that is meaningful to my students’ lives and interests. I am committed to developing units and lessons that encourage intrinsic motivation and passion to learn. I am committed to allowing my students to develop ownership over their own learning, motivating them to work hard and reach their goals. I believe that meaningful learning comes from students being allowed to confront real problem, make choices and find solutions. I am committed to providing students with the opportunity to put what they’ve learned into practice and recognize the importance of their education. I am committed to incorporating themes, integrated units, and a variety of work styles in order to make children active in their learning.
I believe that each child is a unique individual who needs a secure, caring and stimulating atmosphere in which they can grow emotionally, intellectually, physically and socially. I am committed to bringing out the potential of each student and helping children recognize that they are capable learners. I am committed to helping students discover who they are and the confidence to express their opinions and their needs.
I believe that in order for children to grow and reach their full potential, they need to be in an environment that allows them to grow. I am committed to creating a safe, caring and equitable environment that will encourage my students to be responsible and respectful members of our classroom and of society at large.
BELIEF STATEMENTS
My beliefs on Classroom Management, Diversity and Inclusivity.
I believe that when working with diverse populations, one must keep in mind ethnicity, socioeconomics, gender identity and disabilities. I am committed to creating a classroom environment that is culturally relevant and inclusive to all nationalities, ethnicities, races and other identities of students.Having worked in numerous environments, I was offered a multitude of experiences with diverse populations. I believe that as educators, we need to respect food and clothing restrictions according to cultural and religious beliefs, be sensitive to issues pertaining to gender identity, and be extra vigilant for the children with mental and physical disabilities.
I am committed to engaging in Indigenous education and culture across the curriculum regardless of whether FNMI students are present in the class. Similarly, I am committed to ensuring that each of my students feels represented in their classroom through cultural, linguistic ties and by incorporating their interests in my lessons.
I am committed to creating a positive climate to encourage open-mindedness where children feel welcomed and heard in order to ensure that the children feel comfortable in the classroom. In order for students to feel safe and part of an inclusive environment, creating a safe space within the classroom is crucial, allowing the children who are having a difficult time to remove themselves from the immediate situation and have the opportunity to reflect on how they are feeling in a more quiet environment. This safe space will also allow the teacher to be able to discern what may be the problem and develop proper strategies in order to help the child overcome the challenge and when the child feels ready, they can return to the lesson at hand.
My beliefs on Planning, Assessment and Evaluation.
I believe the main purpose of assessment is to provide evidence of students learning. I am committed to using the proper form of assessment in order to best measure my students’ learning (for, as, of). I am committed to the use of frequent, formative assessments in order to provide help for students in their learning process and for teachers in their planning process.Â
I believe in providing clear, student-friendly learning goals and success criteria. I am committed to providing my students with clear and direct feedback on assessments to help guide their learning. I am committed to involving my students as much as possible in the assessment process through self- and peer-assessments.
I believe in an equitable learning environment where students are given fair and equal opportunities in their classroom, emphasizing that fair does not always mean equal. I am committed to using differentiated teaching approaches in order to effectively communicate with and assess all students. I am a firm believer that students should have the opportunity to demonstrate their learning in a way that allows them to best demonstrate their understanding of what was taught. Â
I believe in using backwards design to help create assessments. I am committed to effectively communicating the results of assessments with parents and guardians in order to help support my students and their children in their learning journey. I am committed to making cross-curricular connections all while incorporating my students’ needs and interests in my lessons. I believe that it is an important strategy to offer students the most engaging learning experiences so that they can reach their optimal potential. I am committed to being a an adaptive and take my time to understand my students, identify their learning needs, and implement their practices based on the needs.
My beliefs on Community and Co-Curricular Involvement
I believe that collaboration is defined as being able to function adequately within a group environment. Collaboration is the give and take between the group of people that you are expected to work with. I see teaching as requiring lots of collaboration on many levels, collaboration with peers, administration, support staff as well as the students. I am committed to be a professional teacher who is dedicated to building relationships with their students, collaborates with fellow teachers, engages in professional inquiry, and continues to be a life-long learner throughout their career. I am committed to pursuing more professional development courses such as Special Education, Physical Education, French as a Second Language Part 2 and most of all Religion.
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I am a team player and pride myself on my collaboration skills. I have played team and individual sports throughout my entire life and have learned the importance of being able to rely on teammates. I am excited to have the opportunity to get involved as much as I can within the school community. I would love to be able to coach sports teams or supervise clubs for my students. Although I am not the most artistic person, I am willing and would love to be able to provide the students at my school community the chance to partake in something that would bring them happiness.
"I believe that within a Catholic school, our students should be gaining the opportunity to grow as children of God and expand their knowledge of the world but more importantly, of their faith. As students go through their education, I hope for them to feel as though they have been included and welcomed into a community that shows them how to follow in the footsteps of Christ. I believe that Catholic Education creates members of society who have learned, through faith, what it means to be raised and educated to be good, active and moral citizens."
Philosophy of Catholic Education
Written by Laura Finlay
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Please click on the image to find my full philosophy.
