Caitlyn Grimaldi

Philosophy of Education
What Kind of Teacher Am I?
As an aspiring teacher, I have begun to ask myself what beliefs and values I should hold as a
future educator. In beginning to formulate these dispositions, I look for inspiration from the
teachers I remember most, those who have been major influences in my life. I want to make a
difference in my community, whether small or large and I believe that I can best help others by
becoming a teacher, and a mentor to students. My main belief as an aspiring teacher is to create a
classroom that puts the teacher in a facilitator role so that students can work together to learn.
Furthermore, I want to commit myself to promoting interest and passion in learning. I believe in
making bonds between students and with myself by creating a literacy community.

As a future English teacher, the manifestation of student questioning through discussion is of the
upmost importance to me. I believe that in order for students to learn and enjoy the material
taught in my classroom, they have to be able to question and debate literature. In my opinion,
literature is an art thats purpose is to create different perspectives and interpretations. I firmly
believe that in order to be an accomplished English teacher, I have to show students that they can
question literature, not just accept my point of view. I want to see students debate in class
without my interjection as a teacher, and I want to see them be able to defend their
interpretations through their passion of the work. However, I also believe that student led debate
in the classroom can take place in multiple setting, meaning that it can be seen through literature
circles, presentations, and more. Debate does not have to be arguing, it can be the sharing of
ideas or favorite quotes and sections of a novel.

Passion is integral to learning, especially in the Language Arts. It fuels discussion, interest, and
more importantly inquiry. Through the encouragement of my belief of debate and questioning, I
hope to cultivate passion. The acquisition of passion goes hand in hand with my belief of
creating a learning community. Passion cannot be cultivated without personal knowledge of
students because there would be no way to inspire passion without knowing a students interests,
dreams, etc. Furthermore, when students feel comfortable and supported at school, it is easy to
center instruction around student debate, discussion, and questioning. I believe a literacy
community within the classroom is integral in creating an environment where students feel
encouraged to participate and have a sense of belonging because of the mutual respect that exists
in a community. Overall, my beliefs of debate, passion, and the importance of relationships work
together to form a welcoming and intellectual classroom community and will help create lifelong
learners.

Thoughts about teaching and education are not static; they are dynamic and always changing. I
am continuing to learn about the inner workings of the classroom as my education progresses
and my experience grows. My teaching philosophy will continue to grow and shape itself when I
gain invaluable teaching experience this next year.