Teaching Philosophy
Some teachers go into the education field because they're passionate about a particular subject, they love working with children, and/or they want summers off. I chose teaching as a career because I want to positively impact youth so they can go on to change the world. While I hold my students to high expectations in terms of learning and mastering content and skills, my main goal is that they leave the classroom knowing how to think critically, how to question ideas and concepts, how to treat others with respect, how to help others in need, and how to speak up for themselves and others. Differentiated Instruction & Academic Support Students are given every opportunity to succeed in the classroom. Visuals, think-alouds, step-by-step teacher modeling, graphic organizers, and guided notes are utilized on almost a daily basis to better support all learners. Educational technology is utilized to make lessons and assignments more engaging, accessible, and fun. I provide struggling learners with small group or 1-on-1 instruction whenever possible, including lunch periods and after school. Supervised peer tutoring is also encouraged. Alternative assignments and assessments are given to students when appropriate. Homework, Classwork & Assessments Homework always has a purpose and is never simply "busy work." Late and makeup work are generally accepted; however, points may be deducted for excessive lateness. Do Nows, in-class practice problems, and/or exit tickets serve as checks for understanding and opportunities to review learned material without the pressure of an exam. They also serve as a checkpoint so I can adjust instruction as needed. Collaborative and hands-on labs are conducted in science classes so students can apply what they've learned. Summative assessments (exams, Socratic seminars, performance assessments, projects, etc.) are given in order for students to demonstrate what they mastered and find out what needs improvement. Test corrections and retakes are sometimes offered to students so they can learn from their mistakes and improve their scores. Classroom Management Classroom norms, such as "one mic, one voice," are established with students at the beginning of the school year and reviewed if students need a reminder. Bullying, harassment, violence, foul language, plagiarism, cheating, unapproved technology use, and noncompliance are not tolerated. Since I teach high school students, I try to avoid contacting parents/guardians unless necessary in an effort to treat them like young adults and have them learn from their mistakes. However, I do not hesitate to reach out to parents/guardians to inform them of their child's progress in school, especially if it warrants some concern. In my students' words, "Ms. Flores is strict but fair." |