Stephanie Annunziata I believe it is within the power of all people to reach beyond their limits to broaden their horizons

of knowledge. My philosophy of teaching is one that holds high expectations for each and every child. I believe that all children have the potential to learn and grow. Like John Dewey, I believe in a progressive education in which children will learn lifelong skills that they can utilize in their communities and in their daily lives. Through an experiential education my elementary students are able to learn by doing, which I agree is the best way to be a responsible member of society. With my experience as a cheerleading coach I am able to implement teamwork into my teaching as well as motivation and enthusiasm. My classroom is student-centered and encourages collaboration through group work. I conduct interactive lessons, which engage all students and I encourage exploration in all aspects of the curriculum. I set high standards for all my students because I believe they all have great potential. As a special educator, I am aware that all students learn at an unlike pace, which is why I differentiate instruction and try my best to authenticate each lesson to meet the needs of every student. Along with the various learning styles of children, I am mindful of the different cultural and ethnic backgrounds of children entering my classroom. I am culturally responsive for these students and I believe in building on their strengths. I not only consider myself a teacher, but also a caretaker, who instills compassion and sensitivity in young people. It is important for me to build relationships with my students in order to better understand their learning styles as well as maintain a respectful atmosphere. I have zero tolerance for bullying, and I firmly stress a respectful and peaceful learning space.

There is simply no room for violence, so I provide a safe learning environment where children can feel comfortable and enjoy themselves while enriching their education. It is essential to bridge the gap between home and school. Parents play a crucial role in my teaching, and I make every effort to maintain communication with all guardians throughout the school year. As a special educator, I understand that it is vital to speak regularly with colleagues in order to track students progress academically, socially and physically throughout the school year. With the help of specialists, therapists, and parents I am determined to have each student meet or exceed academic standards. My classroom will be a text-rich environment with a generous library, which promotes literacy. However, I believe it is very important for young people to learn the many uses of technology. Our society is rapidly becoming more advanced, and is demanding the usage of high-tech machinery every day. I incorporate computer applications into the curriculum whenever possible to spark inquiry and curiosity through the virtual world. While I value the importance of technology, I am aware that not all students have access to such electronics. My students may come from all levels of privilege, and therefore, I make curriculum relevant to these students of low-income families. I understand that I will be growing and learning as my career progresses. A professor at Molloy once told me the biggest room in the world is the room for improvement which is a philosophy I live by every day. I not only teach my students, but I learn a great deal from them as well. As a reflective practitioner, I know that I can always revise my lessons to better enhance creativity, and imagination within and beyond the classroom. I believe I possess the experience and knowledge to make a difference in the lives of children and leave a footprint on their hearts, as many teachers have done for me.