Running Head: STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS 1

Statement of Informed Beliefs

Johnny Hernandez
College of Southern Idaho
EDUC: 204 Families, Communities, and Culture
Evin Fox
Spring 2014






STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS 2

Statement of Informed Beliefs
Introduction
Teaching can be a strenuous job. In order to be an effective teacher, you need to acquire
and adapt certain traits and responsibilities. Teachers need to have the ability to motivate and
lead by example, every day. Teaching requires specific values and an open-mind attitude. It's
our goal as educators to motivate and teach our students not only what is required but beyond.
We need to adapt a persona with proper morals and an understanding that we are here to make a
difference. Teaching is a way of life; it's our job to prepare our students for theirs. Success is the
goal. Each day teachers will be forced to embrace obstacles and how they overcome those
obstacles will determine their success. A teacher is a guide, someone who is there to show you
the ways of the world. The intrinsic awards of teaching is what inspires teachers to teach. My
beliefs are to inspire, encourage, and demonstrate. I will inspire my students by demonstrating
courage and showing them that with hard work comes great rewards.
Students Ability to learn
The teachers ability to teach will determine on the students ability to learn. I strongly
believe that it is the teachers job to get students interested in the subject and make learning fun
and spontaneous for them. Teachers need to make sure to give them a reason why they are
doing, what they are doing, and be there to guide them through it. They need to have a better idea
of Piagets and Kohlbergs theory. I remember growing up and having many teachers just tell
me what to do instead of showing me how it is done. Those were the classes I didnt care for.
Teachers need to influence their students and make them want to learn. Learning is a process that
takes participation from both the learner and educator. The learner must want to listen and
comprehend the things we teach. This is another issue teachers are forced to recognize. That is
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where cooperative goal structure could come in play, giving us educators the opportunity to
work the students together to accomplish our goals.
Our goals are based on the curriculum. Teachers need to set high expectations for their
students to meet the curriculum. If they set high expectations, then the students recognize that
and are more likely to succeed and set higher expectations for themselves. Its all about the
attitude of the teacher and knowing they are accountable for the students education. If a teacher
sets low expectations, then they will receive low results. That is the purpose of educational goals.
Educational goals are goals the teachers sets for their students to meet at the end of the year.
Goals are important because they are the desired results that we need to meet in order to
accomplish and succeed in life. The curriculum is the foundation for educational goals. Setting
these goals gives the students a better idea of what is expected from them. Once they have an
idea of what is asked of them, we can began applying the knowledge they need to know. Every
student is different and unique in his or her own way. Some learn different compared to others,
and it is our responsibility to recognize that and take action. The students ability to learn
determines on the teachers ability to teach. As educators we must be alert and aware of our
diverse culture and treat each student the same.
Students Social Ecology Theory
Social ecology is very important because it affects a students self-concepts and self-
esteem which affects how he or she learn and how to behave in school. Everyone lives a
different life; some are fortunate enough to live a good life while others arent as fortunate.
Thats where it is important to recognize harmful situations so they can be defused as soon as
possible. I am a strong believer in getting parents more involved with their child at school. It can
give us educators a better idea of what is going on outside of school. Its also important as a
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teacher to be open-minded and not discourage a student because of their race, culture, and
religion. Social ecology is everything outside of school with which student are in involved. This
gives students different beliefs and ideas of life and attitude toward others.
Family is where it all begins. A childs beliefs, morals, attitudes, and influences begin
with their family which can impact their opportunities and developmental outcome throughout
life. Family plays a huge role on a students learning. Right away the child is influenced by his
race, culture, and family income. The materials the child inherits influences his well-being.
Family determines that childs education and health. Family can influence a childs values,
norms, and practices which affects that childs behavior. It all adds up and family is where it
starts.
Communities can impact a students learning by its size. The population and size can
determine interaction between the people in the community. Which then can provide friendships
and socialization skills for children. The way the community is ran can affect the outcome of
what the school is like and everything surrounding it. The people that work in the community
such as city workers, dentists, doctors, store employees, teachers, and people seen on a daily
basis offer an informal social support system. Also, the laws and goals that take place determine
the overall outcome of the community, affecting everyone in it.
Culture plays a large role in students learning because culture is the knowledge, beliefs,
art, morals, law, customs and traditions they know. The basic characteristics of the social
environment in which an individual grows up in. This can mean people view the world
differently and are unaware that there are alternative ways of perceiving, believing, behaving and
judging. Families, communities and cultures all play a huge role on the impact of students
learning. These things make them who they are, whether they have different beliefs or are raised
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differently, it all gives them different views on life. Leaving teachers with such a unique and
diverse population to work with.
Cultural Diversity Instruction
We all come from different parts of the world. We are all foreigners. Each one of us has
history of where our ancestors come from and that is what makes this country astonishing. As a
teacher, it will be my obligation to fully experience the different cultures, religions, and beliefs
that my students bring every day. I will acknowledge and honor the varied life histories and
experiences of students ethnic backgrounds.
I have always been a believer in treating someone the same way I would want them to
treat me. I would bypass cultural assimilation and explain to my students we arent all meant to
be the same. Instead, I would strongly embrace and encourage cultural pluralism, leaving
everyone with an idea of what is out there in the world and giving my students a chance to learn
from each other. Cultural pluralism gives everyone a chance to come together and learn from a
different perspective.
Curriculum for all Learners
Everything a teacher does and works for is based on the curriculum they teach to their
students. In order to create a successful lesson plan for everyone, I must use various techniques
and procedures. By using guided participation my students can observe, model, and do what is
shown to them, creating an individualized goal structure. I will adjust my lesson plan by using
a developmental interaction curriculum. Along with concentrating on a teacher-directed and
a Montessori based cognitively oriented curriculum. Teaching my students with a direct but
open minded attitude.
In order to ensure that each learner grows, I will use an individualized goal structure and
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a teacher-directed curriculum. I will try my very hardest to teach my students at the best of my
ability. I understand that as a first year teacher, I may succeed and also fail many times, however
as I gain experience throughout the years, I can use that to my advantage as I teach. My
classroom will have a positive and professional vibe. I will respect and honor my students,
giving them a 100% of my participation. My approach toward my students will differ compared
to others only because of the subject I want to teach. Ill have the ability to go at the curriculum
in Physical Education at a different perspective. I can really focus on the high energy and
positive attitudes in my classroom while teaching the main factors of P.E. I will ensure that each
learner grows by educating them to the best of my ability.
Conclusion
My beliefs are simple. I believe each student learns differently. I believe it takes a
positive, nurturing somewhat firm attitude to guide them through the curriculum. I believe a
teacher should lead by example and be able to set high expectations for his or her students. It is
important as a future educator to understand that the children we teach are the future of America.
As I proceed with my career in Physical Education, Weight Training, and Health I will be able to
get a better understanding of what my philosophy should consist of. I will be able to build an
educating persona and become the teacher I have always dreamed of becoming. I want to teach
my students that with hard work comes great rewards. I want to show and demonstrate a lifestyle
that is healthy and beneficial for their futures.
As time goes on, I will gain more experience. I will learn through observation. For now I
am the one who is being taught. For now I set expectations for teachers that I come across. For
now I am the student. Learning what it takes to become a successful teacher has really changed
my perspective towards teaching. The ability to teach is strenuous. In order to become a good
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teacher, one must learn by observing and doing. To be a good teacher, you have to have that
certain mentality which failure is not an option. Its our job and goal to prepare our students for
the world that awaits them. I set high expectations for success not only for myself but for those I
teach around me. As I move forward with school my beliefs might change but for now I have
formed a solid foundation of what I believe and what my philosophies are. A successful teacher
is someone who can grab your attention and teach you what is needed to be taught and that can
make all the difference in the life of a child.


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Works Cited
Berns, R. M. (2013). Child, family, school, community. Belmont, California: Wadsworth,
Cengage Learning.