Shelbi Rowley

Philosophy of Education

I believe the purpose of school is to provide a safe environment for students where they

can grow, learn, and develop into the person they want to be. The most important aspect of a

classroom to me is the safety and comfort that is needed to promote learning.

Teaching young people can be challenging, but it can also be exciting. This time period

for young people (ages 10-14) is a very confusing and difficult time. They mature and grow in so

many ways, so it is important for a teacher to promote their maturation and not hinder it. When I

was in middle school, I loved that my teachers were always there to support and comfort me. As

a teacher, I want to be this way because some students desperately need someone to care about

them. Teachers encouragement and motivation are valuable to a students self-esteem. As a

teacher, I need to promote learning, motivation, good behavior, and positive attitudes to push my

students to their full potential.

As an English teacher, I want my students to appreciate literature and the English

language. I also want my students to be prepared for college writing and any writing they will

use for the rest of their lives. I believe it is important to help the students develop their social and

interaction skills with group work and hands-on activities. I believe that a variety of teaching

styles is the most effective way to teach. The goal is to engage and motivate students. I would

teach using auditory, kinesthetic, and visual techniques. I also really love the idea of a learning

portfolio. It is encouraging to students to see their progress throughout the year, and the portfolio

would also be beneficial to parents because they can see monitor their childs progress, help their

child in weak areas, and applaud their child for their achievements.
 One thing I love about teaching in this age group is the importance of interactive

teaching. Interactive teaching is so important because middle school students cannot just listen to

a lecture and learn the material. Group work and class discussions are both amazing ways to help

students learn the material. I love this aspect of the classroom because discussions and group

work are fun and effective. My goal as a teacher is to be interactive and fun so that the

environment is not stressful. The environment of a classroom can either help or harm the

students.

Helping students to develop a deep love and respect for themselves, others, and their

environment occurs through an open sharing of ideas and an authoritative approach to discipline.

I will strive for a classroom environment where students feel free to express themselves. I

believe children have greater respect for their teachers, their peers, and the lessons presented

when they feel safe and sure of what is expected of them. Consistence and appropriate

assignments show students how to have a respect for their presence and time. Students need to

learn to respect themselves, others, and their environment.

For myself, teaching provides an opportunity for continual learning and growth. One of

my hopes as an educator is to instill a love of learning in my students, as I share my own passion

for learning with them. I feel there is a need for compassionate, strong, and dedicated individuals

who are excited about working with children. I will always strive to be the best educator that I

can be.