Running Head: Statement of Informed Beliefs

SIB

Diversity Statement of Informed Beliefs Rebecca Finley College of Southern Idaho EDUC 204: Families, Communities, and Culture Evin Fox Fall 2013

Statement of Informed Beliefs

Statement of Informed Beliefs Introduction The education of children is one of the most important jobs in the world. An intentional, purposeful, thoughtful and passionate teacher has the opportunity to greatly impact the lives of her students. The art of teaching requires a combination of skills, knowledge, enthusiasm, and love. Many teachers view their career choice as a calling and I am one of them. I believe that all children are born with a curiosity, intelligence, and a desire to learn. I believe that children learn best through life which is an ongoing process and through relationships with people, things, places and ideas. I see that my role as an educator is to nurture and guide these relationships. Students Ability to Learn The role of an educator is to foster each childs innate desire to learn. Teachers should provide an environment that is stimulating and developmentally appropriate. Teachers will seek out the needs of each child by learning about them and observing them. It is important expand upon students interests by providing books, materials and experiences that are meaningful to them. Cultivating a life-long love of learning in each student is an important aspect of teaching. Dr. Maria Montessori believed in a learner-directed curriculum, I agree that children learn best when they educate themselves (Berns, 2013). A classroom or learning environment should reflect the diversity of the students and should contain learning materials that are applicable to real life. Montessori believed that good teachers would know, when to encourage a child, when to divert the child and when to leave the child alone (Berns, 2013), I will work hard to become a teacher that is sensitive enough to know the difference. Students Social Ecology Theory

Statement of Informed Beliefs

If home is the basic educational environment then it is my responsibility and privilege as a teacher to foster and compliment the students connection with their family and home. An important role of a teacher is to understand and learn about each of her students unique situation, culture and personality. This is essential to effectively provide the care and education that is needed for a child to be competent. Teachers are leaders and it is important that their impact on students is positive. A passionate teacher can empower her students. Communities need to have well educated students. The best education is possible for our children when families, teachers, students, and members of the community work together to support each other. A child is not educated by a teacher alone, but through a collaboration of those within the childs microsystem. Cultural Diversity Instruction I acknowledge that all of my students are equally and wonderfully made. I will do my best to provide for my students educational needs by being thoughtful of their heart as well as their minds. Teachers can acknowledge and facilitate cultural pluralism by making an effort to build upon the childs life history and cultural background. Differences in culture, ethnic backgrounds and diversity should always be respected. There are many opportunities to learn through the celebration of ethnic and cultural differences. Children who are assimilating to the American culture need their teachers to provide support and understanding. Curriculum for all Learners Good teachers are organized, have lessons planned and goals for learning, but a great teacher will also be flexible to circumstances and willing to adapt to meet the needs of her students. Learning needs to be meaningful for every child and lessons will need to be adapted to fit different learning styles, personalities and interests. Observing students is an informative

Statement of Informed Beliefs

aspect of teaching. So much can be learned about students through watching them. Education is reciprocal as students learn from teachers, but teachers can also learn from students. All children have an enormous capacity to learn and the standards should be set high for the teachers and students. Learning itself will be the prize. My classroom or learning environment will be constructed in a way that will encourage imagination, curiosity, movement and education through play. Jean Piagets Constructivist theory states that children learn from first-hand experiences. They construct their own knowledge from their environment. Piaget believed that, construction is superior to instruction (Mooney, 2013). We know that play is essential to the healthy development of children. Play promotes socialization, emotional skills, language and promotes literacy and math skills. Conclusion To be an effective teacher, I will have knowledge of the science of child development, an understanding of the numerous educational theories and a passion for teaching, learning and living that I will share with my students. I will believe in my students, inspire them and cultivate their interests by providing a rich learning atmosphere that welcomes cultural diversity.

Statement of Informed Beliefs

References Berns, R. (2013). Child, Family, School, Community Socialization and Support. 9th Edition.174. Mooney, C. (2013).Theories of Childhood an Introduction to Dewey, Montessori, Erikson, Piaget & Vygotsky. Second Edition. 79