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Krista Kyker
Edu Seminar
Professor Gallagher
April 21, 2015
“Teaching Philosophy 1”
I have spent a great deal of time this semester reflecting on all of my educational
experiences and using those experiences to help guide me in the direction of what type of
teacher I want to be. In asking myself this question, periodically throughout my studies, I can
honestly say that my answer has changed significantly already. Meaning that I am sure as I
progress through this journey of becoming an educator, my teaching philosophy will become
more specific and centered on one or two characteristics instead of an entire gamete of ideas. I
do know that I want to create an inclusive classroomculture utilizing the technology that is now
available, while maintaining a traditional literary style, and encouraging my students to think
critically, analyze, and synthesize their studies. I feel that it will be important to interest
students in social studies by connecting the experiences or situations in which they are familiar
with, to motivate them to take learning to the next level. That level would be a form of self-
education. I want my students to begin actively seeking out information, about a topic that
interests them, on their own. Thus stimulating the growth of their lifelong learning process and
encouraging students to form their educated opinions through active research. The technology
that is available to students today should be used as a tool to help them achieve greater
amounts of knowledge. To use that knowledge to make informed decisions about their lives
and the communities that surround them. My teaching philosophy will be to encourage
students to become interested in the value of their education, by utilizing the technology

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available to them, to better themselves instead of wasting their time playing games or
participating in excessive social media.
Another important mode of education in which I would like to achieve is creating an
inclusive classroomculture where the students feel as though it is safe to discuss issues or voice
their opinions. Making my students feel safe and showing them that they can depend on me to
provide a consistent, stable classroom environment, is the first step in achieving this type of
setting. I plan to listen to what issues the students feel to be important and to help initiate
critical thinking through active involvement for the entire class. It is very important to me to use
active movement in my classroom to encourage the active learning and involvement of my
students. I plan to create activities based on the core content area of the curriculum that helps
to teach my students their social studies lessons without simply lecturing all day. Students that
feel as though they are involved in their educational path will want to participate in the
activities that I plan because they will stay interested in the topic being discussed. Through
active participation I will act as a guide, teaching each of my students, to think critically about
the subjects at hand. The students will learn to engage in dynamic classroom discussion; that is
done respectfully and without judgment or bias while at the same time encouraging their
classmates to take part and voice their opinions. As a secondary social studies teacher, I would
like to help alleviate bullying, by creating a cohesive and team oriented classroom, where the
students learn to compete with each other in a fun yet competitive setting. Healthy
competition will encourage students to become involved in their educational process and
include all of their classmates in that process as well. Being part of a team will help students
feel as if they are part of something important and encourage them to become active

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participants in the day to day classroom activities. I hope to help my students create a
classroom culture that spills out into the community as they all spread their wings and land at
different colleges and universities throughout the United States.
I would like to be a reflective teacher that teaches bell to bell and is not opposed to
changing my lesson plans if the classroomsituation changes. Circumstances may dictate more
time or supplemental material to help my students master certain concepts with varying
content areas. By remaining flexible and through daily reflection on what is working well and
what is not working at all, I will be able to shape my lesson plans around the students’ progress
and their individual learning styles. Finding common ground, in which all students can
understand the topics that need to be learned, is also an important aspect of every classroom.
Through reflective thought and active listening, I plan to redirect any lessons that need to be
reorganized to make sure that all of my students are grasping important concepts. Most
importantly, as a mother, I want to treat each of my students the way that I want each of my
girls to be treated by their teachers. I will treat each student with respect, empathy, and
awareness that our environment and some extenuating circumstances may sometimes shape
poor behavior for the day. As a mother, I understand that life happens and that every day is
not perfect. I also realize that each child learns in their way. I plan to use this valuable
knowledge in my classroom to help my students navigate through their studies and eventually
become productive and active participants in their communities after graduation.