1. SIB 1
Running head: STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS Comment [JH1]: Use an abbreviated title for the
running head. Notice how the “Running Head” is
formatted.
Use an
acronym or the first
two or three words of
the title as the page
header, five spaces
left of the page
number.
Statement of Informed Beliefs Essay Comment [JH2]: The title is centered between
the left and right margins and positioned in the upper
half of the page. Double space between the title and
Joe Smith the byline/course info
Dr. Luelinda Egbert
EDUC 204 Families, Communities, & Culture
TR, 9:30-11:00, Fall 2005 Comment [JH3]: Include your name, instructor’s
name, course, course day, time and semester.
Double space between lines.

2. SIB 2
Statement of Informed Beliefs Essay Comment [JH4]: Center the title. Do not bold,
underline, or italicize.
“What Every student is unique in his or her own way, which is one of the great things Comment [JH5]: Indent the first word of each
paragraph (tab or five spaces). Use font size 12 and
Times New Roman.
about becoming a teacher. As a future educator, I am excited about all of the different types of Comment [C6]: Set left, right, top, and bottom
margins at 1 inch
students that I will get the opportunity to teach; however, because of all of the different types of
learners, it will not always be easy to instruct the whole group. In the following paragraphs I
will explain my beliefs about diversity and how it will be addressed in my classroom. This will
be discussed in the following five sections: all students can learn, teacher’s expectations,
student’s social ecology theory, cultural diversity instruction, and curriculum for all learners. Comment [C7]: Your introductory paragraph
should include a thesis that reflects the portfolio
entry assignment. Note. Your introduction can be
All Students Can Learn more than one paragraph.
I truly believe that all students have the ability to learn. It is the teacher’s job to get to Comment [C8]: Include sub-headings for each
section. Headings should be italicized
know each and every student and how he/she learns best. According to Howard Gardner’s Comment [C9]: two theorists are bold and
underlined.
theory, there are eight intelligences by which a person processes and retains information (Berns,
2007). As a teacher I will work to figure out what my students’ learning styles are and teach the Comment [C10]: 15 terms are bold and
underlined.
curriculum so that it reaches all of them. For instance, if I have student with a high musical
intelligence and I am trying to teach him/her the state capitals, we could work together to make
up a song to help him/her learn.
In addition to knowing each student’s learning style, the teacher must also know what
each student’s life is like outside of the classroom. As a teacher I will strive to recognize events
that are happening in each student’s family and the community that could affect his/her learning.
I will also be aware of what is happening on a larger scale, like in the state or federal
governments, so that I will be able help my students learn and understand on that level as well.

3. SIB 3
Teacher’s Expectations
In order to obtain desired results from students, a teacher must maintain high expectations
from his or her students. The best way to do that is to first instill a sense of self-efficacy in the
students. If a student believes that he/she is able to do achieve and do well, then he/she will meet
the goals that are set for him/her. The teacher must also put aside any predetermined ideas about
a student’s ability that may come from an existing file on the student or a sibling’s past behavior.
According to Jere E. Brophy and Thomas L. Good, a teacher develops expectations about a
student and then treats each student differently depending on these expectations. In reaction to
how the teacher treats him/her, the student may be inclined to do better or simply stop trying
(Berns, 2007).
The teacher must also set educational goals to give the students something to work
towards. The teacher can create cooperative, individualized, or competitive goals, depending
on what outcome is needed. By setting goals for the students, it not only gives them a sense of
direction but also a sense of accomplishment once they reach them. As a teacher I will treat each
student equally by maintaining high expectations for all. I will also work with the students as
needed so that they can meet the goals that are set for them. Finally, I will hold myself
accountable as will my school for the outcomes of my students.
Students’ Social Ecology Theory
In order for a student to get the most out of his/her educational experiences at school, the
teacher must work in collaboration with the rest of the students’ microsystems. According to
Urie Bronfenbrenner, a child is socialized not just by one microsystem at a time, but through the
interrelationship between all systems (Berns, 2007). What a child experiences at home affects
what he/she does at school, and what he/she experiences at school affects how he/she will behave

4. SIB 4
in the community and so forth. It is the teacher’s job to help integrate what the student learns
into his/her everyday life. He/she can accomplish this by taking an active role in knowing each
student and what happens in his/her life outside of school.
In addition to taking into consideration the student’s community and family life, the
teacher must also realize his/her own importance in those areas. The teacher must educate the
student in a way that will produce a positive outcome with his or her family, peers, and
community. Because a school teacher is just one of many relationships and activities that a
student has, he/she must aim to be a strong and positive model for the student.
Cultural Diversity Instruction
As ethnic diversity in the classroom grows, teachers must constantly make an effort to
understand students from different backgrounds. Since cultural assimilation is becoming a
thing of the past, society no longer expects minority groups to conform to American culture.
Instead, cultural pluralism, which encourages each group to maintain their cultures and beliefs
in cooperation with those of other ethnic backgrounds, is becoming more common.
As a teacher I will work hard to learn about the different cultures that may come into my
classroom. The more I know about my student’s culture, the better I will be able to instruct and
include him/her. It will also be beneficial to the other students to learn and explore the cultures
of their classmates. By including a student’s cultural diversity in my instruction, it will make
him/her feel more comfortable at school and therefore more able to learn.
Curriculum for all Learners
When I begin to teach, I will have a plan of how I think the school year should proceed,
what will be taught, and when it will be taught. In the end, however, the outcome might be very
different from what I originally planned. After the first few weeks with my class I will have to

5. SIB 5
reflect on how my methods are working and adjust them to obtain the outcome I want. I will see
if my teaching method is reaching the students with different learning styles. If my students are
struggling on the assignments or tests, I will be able to tell what areas I need to address. I can
then adjust my teaching method to include the students that are struggling. For instance, if I
begin the year with a teacher-directed method and it is not working, I may have to shift toward
a learner-directed environment. I will make these types of curricular and instructional changes
from evaluating feedback from my students.
Whatever the method, I must ensure that each student learns and improves during the
time in my classroom. Depending on the student, I will provide extra attention, instruction, or
emotional support. It is the teacher’s job to do as much as he/she possibly can to help a student
learn. If a student has problems outside of class that affects his/her ability to perform in class, I
can help him/her by getting outside help, such as a school counselor, involved. The more I know
my students, the better I will be able to help them learn.
In conclusion I would like to express that it is the diverse population of students that
make a teacher’s job both dynamic and interesting. In order to be an effective instructor, I must
take into account all types of diversity. Instead of having diversity become a barrier to teaching I
intend for it to provide opportunities for more learning, both for my students and myself.

6. SIB 6
References Comment [C11]: Must have a reference page---
Center the word “References”
Berns, R.M. (2007). Child, family, school, community: Socialization and support (7th ed.).
Belmont, CA: Thomson Learning, Inc. Comment [C12]: Citations must be in APA
style—you can find information on citations online
doing a search for APA citations or something
similar