Emmy Costantino

12/5/15
Educational Philosophy: This I believe
Who in the world am I? Ah, that the great puzzle- Lewis Carroll
This I Believe
What do I believe? I believe every child deserves a decent education. The chance to feel
that they truly can be anything they want to be, the freedom to spread their wings and be
able to express themselves through text, through arts, explore the world around them
through history and literature no matter what their socioeconomic status. They have no
control over their current situation but they have full control over their future, and that is
what I want to be able to provide them with, a future full of potential, knowledge of
culture and diversity created through classroom and peer interaction. I want them to strive
to be the best they can be, utilize inquiry to drive their hunt for self awareness. They are
constantly learning educationally and socially, changing and growing into older and wiser
people and providing a space for this self- actualization is the goal of any good teacher.
Many children do not get to feel comfortable at home and for them, I want to provide just
that. The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and
not be questioned Maya Angelou.
To create a classroom that enables them to learn deeply I need to create a safe space, one
that provides them the comfort to express themselves without fear of judgment. I need to
have an awareness of the personal lives of each child, an understanding of their families,
their culture and their identity in order to interact with them in a way that makes them
feel as though they matter. Everyone should have a voice and feel that they have a right
to express their opinions in a respectful manner. To be unique, to be themselves, to grow
as an individual, that is a right given to every human being, that is the purpose of
schooling and education. Growth and maturation, an understanding of self and interaction
of self in the world around you is the function of education. Through this understanding
of self, an individual, distinct, and beautiful voice is given, one which literature and art
allow expression of.
There are so many modes to express voice using the multiple intelligences; not just
writing but drawing and painting, creating with nature, engaging in interpersonal
relations etc. and all must be present in the classroom in order to meaningfully reach
every child. Being able to express yourself in a way that most closely reflects ones self is
vital and being given choice in the classroom children are able to do so. Every voice
counts, everyones story matters and giving children the chance to tell a story about
themselves they do not usually have the forum to do, I believe my classroom should
provide this.
Developmentally Appropriate Practice is another way to facilitate a sense of comfort in
my classroom. Understanding that the beginning of the year children are not at the same
level but being okay meeting them where they are and not pushing them beyond what

they can handle is my job. Incorporating literary circles, reading workshops, cube
activities, as many group styles as possible to work with each other. I want to be able to
scaffold each child appropriately and in knowing them personally and their stories I will
be able to know the most effective ways to do so. Knowing how each child learns best
will aid me in providing materials to keep them afloat so to speak. Create organizers that
show the progression of story and aid in the retelling in order to keep everyone together
as we progress through challenging new steps. That notion of drowning, of helplessness,
never present in my class.
I want my children to read with me not after me both literally and figuratively. I want us
to grow together. No one better than another, hands raised and all voices heard, all
perspectives taken, lifting each other as we ourselves improve. It is never too late to
learn, I from them and them from my experiences. I want to facilitate a home of life- long
learners, a family founded on diversity with intellect created through cultural sensitivity.
In my classroom we are one supportive family, constantly evolving to create and present
the best version of ourselves. This I believe.