Running head: STATMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

Statement of Informed Beliefs Essay

Staci Jensen
College of Southern Idaho
Dr. Evin Fox
EDUC 204 Families Communities & Culture
Spring 2015

STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

Introduction
Teachers have the ability to help students blossom into knowledgeable and capable
adults. In order to do this, teachers need to exercise patience, understanding, have high
expectations, and a belief that each one of her students will be successful. The importance and
impact a teacher has on all of her students is immeasurable. Realizing that cognitive, emotional,
and environmental influences all contribute to how the child learns and retains knowledge will
contribute to the success of each student. I will work to utilize the knowledge of these influences
for each child and develop strategies to maximize the learning for all.
Teachers must be capable of fostering and developing the learning and social skills that
are appropriate to her students society, ability, age, and aptitude. It is the responsibility of every
teacher to link early learning of the individual student and develop ways to encourage, inspire,
and challenge that knowledge with further understanding. A teachers capacity to recognize the
learning abilities of each of her students has major implications on the students ability to
succeed in the classroom and beyond. The colossal responsibility teachers take on by pursuing a
career in teaching should never be taken lightly and the best interests of each student should be
the focal point in any interactions teachers have with their students. It is for these reasons that I
will be discussing my system of informed beliefs in the following essay.
Students Ability to Learn

STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

All children have the born capacity to learn. That capacity to learn must be cherished and
nurtured by the entire mesosystem but, particularly by those in the microsystem, or the affects
could be detrimental to the child throughout his or her life. It is the responsibility of the teacher
to make sure each students needs are considered and met, regardless of any social, economic, or
learning disabilities. Presenting all students with the appropriate curriculum will help nurture
self-confidence and cultivate the joy of learning for each of them, which in turn will inspire
limitless possibilities for his or her students along with anyone else who is ever a part of that
students Mesosystem throughout their lifetime. By fostering relationships with ones students,
the teacher can facilitate learning by evaluating the childs stages of development which in turn
yields a baseline of needs that must be met for each child to help promote confidence in each
student. By getting to know each of her students, the teacher will also be able to adapt the
curriculum, instruction, and environment to best fit the needs of her students.
Jean Piagets stages of development are of particular interest because teachers need to
maximize the potential of learning for each and every student. She must take into account the
learning ability of her students based on which stage of development they belong in. Having an
understanding of which stage of development the student is in will assist the teacher in
establishing an appropriate curriculum and instruction within the learning abilities of her
students. This is of great importance because the curriculum that is presented to the students
must not only be challenging, but also provide optimum learning while staying within the
students abilities. Understanding these stages of development and the ways students learn will
also provide teachers with the ability to encourage her students intellectual and social growth.
As a teacher I will utilize this knowledge of each students strengths and their already existing
knowledge as a substructure in which to build on. Presentation of curriculum by partnering with

STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

all students in a learner directed environment will help to stimulate and motivate all of her
students, while letting curiosity drive the discussion of the curriculum. Promoting group
discussion on subjects can further develop the analyzing of subject matter and then applying
those ideas while emphasizing social interaction with peers.
Students Social Ecology Theory
The chronosystem shows the importance of all the relationships surrounding the child.
Each individual system has its own level of impact on the child. As part of the microsystem,
teachers have a direct impact on the socialization of her students. Through this socialization,
children develop a sense of identity and how they fit into the society they live in. Erik
Eriksons personality developmental, industry vs. inferiority, is one theory that is of special
interest to me as it encompasses school aged children ages 6 to puberty and beyond. During this
stage of development teachers have a direct and serious impact on the students ability to learn.
Supporting and encouraging students helps to motivate them so they are better able to succeed,
which is the ultimate goal that every teacher wants for her students.
The five systems of the Ecological Systems Theory provide a foundation for the
psychological development of children. Understanding these systems, their relationships with
one another, and the implications these systems have on each child is crucial for that childs
ability to feel safe and secure in their environment in order to focus on learning. The schools
formal social structure is important to a childs development because they learn how they fit in
to their society and where they can evolve in more formalized group situations. As a teacher, I
will work with the students to help promote healthy socialization among each of them and the
culture of the school.

STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

Social causation perspective can be used as a guide for teachers in predicting some
struggles students might have. Resources or stressors that can impact a family unit will trickle
down to the children in the family and affect them in the same way. Stressors like economic
hardships, divorce, neglect or abuse can bring additional struggles into the learning environment.
Teachers should be aware of such things and be flexible in supporting the child by making
considerations when developing curriculum that is sensitive to these needs.
Cultural Diversity Instruction

Cultural diversity is something that, when understood by the teacher, can be used to
identify biases, identify contributions of various cultures, economic groups, and establish how to
incorporate these differences into information to guide the learning of students, including those
with learning disabilities or unable to speak English. By understanding the students family,
culture, and community, the teacher can develop and successfully enhance student learning
through an appreciation of other cultures. Using a students experiences can bolster the
understanding and bridge the gaps from things they know to things they dont yet have an
understanding of.
We live in a global world where diversity is everywhere and part of every community.
We can choose to embrace our differences and learn from them or surround ourselves with hate
and bigotry. A more successful society would find peace and harmony while adapting to new
ideas. Teachers have a significant impact on helping children to embrace other cultures and
promoting a harmonious society through education. Cultural pluralism should be cultivated in
the classroom in order to build learning and promote acceptance. A teacher needs to be

STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

welcoming all of her students in all their differences, modeling acceptance in every interaction,
and helping students learn all the interesting ways that make everyone unique are some of the
ways to promote a positive future for her students and possibly lay the foundation of a society
that is accepting of others who might be different in a number of ways from themselves.
Curriculum for all Learners

The teachers goal is to build on what students already know, and prepare them for
further learning so they can go on to be productive and knowledgably adults. To accomplish
these goals, teachers need to be flexible in their curriculum and presentation method in order to
make it meaningful to all of her students. Children learn through assimilation; what they
experience in their environment, and accommodation; what they build on to reconcile with
already known information. When developing curriculum, it should be based on things the child
already knows and is aware of. Teachers also need to consider all aspects of each students
chronosystem to match their needs when working towards building on already know
knowledge. By building on the already known knowledge, rather than simply telling them what
to think, students will be able to solve problems and develop complex and critical thinking.
Flexibility in interactions and planning of curriculum is critical to meet the needs of each
student. Piagets cognitive development theory and Erik Eriksons psychosocial
development are progressive processes, they change throughout the childs lifetime, and some
children can be in different stages from the majority. This is one reason, teachers need to adapt
to the social structure of the classroom and make sure each students needs are considered and
reflected throughout the curriculum.

STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

Conclusion
As a teacher, I will work hard to create an environment of acceptance, self-confidence,
and self-reliance in each one of my students. Each one of them should feel important and
included. The impact that I have will be positive and significant to their achievements in
learning.
My classroom will be a safe, welcoming place for each of them to blossom and become
productive decision making members of society. By understanding each student, their unique
needs, and growth development, I will promote and achieve success for each of them.

STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

Reverences

Sousa, David A. How the Special Needs Brain Learns. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin, 2007 Print.

Berns, Roberta M. Child, Family, School, Community: Socialization and Support. Belmont, CA:

STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS

Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2004. Print.