Donna's_Portfolio

Philosophy

When I think about what it means to be a teacher, I think about what it means to be a learner. How have I learned as a student, a musician, a parent, a friend, and an educator? In my experience, true learning is about opening my heart, soul, and mind to someone else's ideas, new information, or to developing a new skill. It is about reaching past my frustration, fear, and challenges to embrace new understanding.

I must believe that my attempts at learning are valuable, and that my mistakes are a valid part of the learning process. It is this mindset that gives me the freedom to learn how to play an instrument, to write a new, experimental piece of music and perform it, to explore new aspects of technology, to try new ideas in the classroom, to reach out to a friend, or to look for new insight as a parent.

Thinking about what makes learning a rewarding experience leads me to analyze my philosophy about teaching. Of course, creating an environment that nutures the curiousity of children, and provides them the freedom necessary to explore their world is crucial. Students also need to have teachers (teachers are also parents, friends, bus drivers, grandparents, neighbors, etc.) in their lives who are, themselves, willing to take risks and willing to accept their own mistakes as part of the learning process. A successful learning environment is one in which each person feels accepted and rewarded for his/her effort, and individual differences (in learning styles, ability levels, talents, etc.) are appreciated.

A discussion about my philosophy of teaching would be incomplete without acknowledging that I believe we are all teachers and we are all learners. It is so freeing and inspiring to be taught by my students, and there are few things in life as pleasing as watching a child catch a spark of enthusiasm for something that I have shared with him/her.

Teaching is...

"...the place where your deep gladness and the world's hunger meet."

--Frederick Buechner