Philosophy of Education

Rebecca L. McKittrick

Philosophy of Education

Education is not simply a teacher filling a child with information but rather providing them with the opportunity to explore, create and build their own knowledge and theories.

As a teacher, I will allow the children in my classroom to discover their own abilities and take learning in the direction that best suits their needs.  I believe that it is my responsibility to provide a means for open communication between students, teachers and families.

In my classroom, I will create a safe and welcoming environment where all children feel comfortable and confident to express themselves, their needs and desire to learn and explore.  I believe it is my responsibility to work with the children to establish our hopes and dreams as well as the rules of our classroom.  I will use the Responsive Classroom methods to create a positive learning environment for my students.

Respect will be a key element of my classroom.  Not only will I expect the students to respect each other and me but also I will respect the students and help them learn the importance of respecting themselves.

I will be a keen observer and document what I see and hear in order to provide constructive feedback to families, staff and children alike.  I will also use this documentation to help me gain a better understanding of how to teach the children in my classroom both as a group and as individuals.  I believe it is necessary for me to respect that each child is different and will learn in different ways.  Through observing and communicating, I will be able to understand each child’s needs and desires for creating their own educational experience.

In conclusion, I believe that an early childhood educator has the ability to lay the foundation for future learning and that it will be my role to provide the tools and avenues for the children in my class to experience an enriching and fruitful beginning to their education.