My Teaching Philosophy
Stefanie Dominguez
As a teacher, my job is to support and encourage my students. I identify a challenge a student must solve; give them the assistance they need through scaffolding, guidance and encouragement; and then recognize when the task is mastered, being sure to match each child to their developmentally appropriate task.
I also provide my students with the opportunities to be actively involved in their own learning. Learning is an active process and children learn best when they are motivated and interested in the material. By allowing students to select materials and activities, I encourage them to construct knowledge from activities that interest them. I do this through working with the project approach consistent with Reggio Emilia’s practices, in which projects emerge from the interests of the children as well as observations from myself as the teacher, and input from the families.
This involvement of families is key in the classroom. Because there are multiple systems that affect a child’s development, it is important to involve all aspects within school. Families and cultures are a crucial part of this. Welcoming the family and community to get involved in the classroom and keeping an open line of communication between the school and the child’s home helps to strengthen a child’s sense of identity.
It is also important to encourage students to engage with each other. By working in groups, multiple points of view and ideas can be exchanged, and students are introduced to “more knowledgeable others” as Vygotsky called them – others who know more about certain topics. This lines up with Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences which states that intelligence manifests itself in nine different domains, all present within an individual at different degrees. Because each person has a different make up of how these domains are represented, each child learns in a different way. It is my job as a teacher to recognize students’ individual needs and differences and adapt the work to fit their individual learning styles and help them to learn at their own pace.
Children learn best when the teacher has created an atmosphere of discovery that encourages children to explore their ideas through play and art. Using examples from their daily lives helps children to form a connection with what they are learning, making it easier to understand and apply concepts. Teaching concepts in isolation is meaningless, as children will have to use a combination of skills to solve problems. It is also important that the classroom environment promotes independence. When students can access materials for themselves, they are more inclined to take initiative and involve themselves in activities.
The most important part of a classroom is not the teacher, but the students. Children should be central characters in their learning. Childhood is an important time in a person’s life so it is important to make sure that children know they are valued for their individuality, as it helps them develop positive attitudes toward themselves and their peers. Lastly, I know that I am not the only teacher in the room. Students and teachers have a symbiotic relationship where everyone learns from each other and helps each other grow.
For a PDF of my teaching philosophy, visit my google drive.
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I also provide my students with the opportunities to be actively involved in their own learning. Learning is an active process and children learn best when they are motivated and interested in the material. By allowing students to select materials and activities, I encourage them to construct knowledge from activities that interest them. I do this through working with the project approach consistent with Reggio Emilia’s practices, in which projects emerge from the interests of the children as well as observations from myself as the teacher, and input from the families.
This involvement of families is key in the classroom. Because there are multiple systems that affect a child’s development, it is important to involve all aspects within school. Families and cultures are a crucial part of this. Welcoming the family and community to get involved in the classroom and keeping an open line of communication between the school and the child’s home helps to strengthen a child’s sense of identity.
It is also important to encourage students to engage with each other. By working in groups, multiple points of view and ideas can be exchanged, and students are introduced to “more knowledgeable others” as Vygotsky called them – others who know more about certain topics. This lines up with Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences which states that intelligence manifests itself in nine different domains, all present within an individual at different degrees. Because each person has a different make up of how these domains are represented, each child learns in a different way. It is my job as a teacher to recognize students’ individual needs and differences and adapt the work to fit their individual learning styles and help them to learn at their own pace.
Children learn best when the teacher has created an atmosphere of discovery that encourages children to explore their ideas through play and art. Using examples from their daily lives helps children to form a connection with what they are learning, making it easier to understand and apply concepts. Teaching concepts in isolation is meaningless, as children will have to use a combination of skills to solve problems. It is also important that the classroom environment promotes independence. When students can access materials for themselves, they are more inclined to take initiative and involve themselves in activities.
The most important part of a classroom is not the teacher, but the students. Children should be central characters in their learning. Childhood is an important time in a person’s life so it is important to make sure that children know they are valued for their individuality, as it helps them develop positive attitudes toward themselves and their peers. Lastly, I know that I am not the only teacher in the room. Students and teachers have a symbiotic relationship where everyone learns from each other and helps each other grow.
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