1. Zauderer 1
Introduction
My educational philosophy is simple: Every student deserves to learn from a teacher who is
genuinely enthusiastic, innovative, and interdested in the student as a whole person. Through the
creation of a positive classroom environment, teachers can make students feel safe and secure to
learn and grow. By using equitable teaching practices, such as scaffolding and diverse methods
of instruction, a teacher can make education accessible to all students.
What Education Should Be
Education should be an engaging, inspiring experience through which a student develops
socially, emotionally, and academically. I would accomplish this by incorporating accountable
talk in the classroom, practicing I-statements, setting achievable goals at the beginning of the
year, while also learning about grammar, literature, etc. I believe that every child deserves to
learn and be taught in a manner that is specific to their needs. Structuring lessons to reach
visual, kinesthetic, and aural learners can help me accomplish this. I believe in bilingual
education, and in valorizing different cultures and practices within the classroom. This can be
seen through including students’ home languages into the classroom, and also by learning about
other cultures through literature and multicultural authors. But most of all, I believe in culturally
relevant teaching which enhances the student's understanding and acceptance of others. I
believe that by incorporating each of these aspects, I can create a positive environment in which
students feel safe to learn.
A more recent development in my philosophy is my growing interest and commitment to
teaching children as whole individuals (i.e. Whole Child Teaching), rather than treating them as
vessels for academic knowledge without social and emotional needs. I value the ability to
communicate and self-reflect very highly; however, I would like my students to be more than
emotionally and academically intelligent. I would like them to become leaders in their
communities, advocates for change, and compassionate listeners. I would encourage curiosity
and respect, and also foster a connection to the community and the adventures that are possible
beyond their bubble of influence. By incorporating community service projects and exploration
of social issues in the classroom, I could guide students toward this path. It is most important to
me that I act as a guide and role model in the classroom, and work to help my students develop
into conscious and kind citizens of society.

2. Zauderer 2
I believe that the following are necessary for teaching to be nurturing, engaging, and
successful:
•Equitable practices within the classroom
•Equal distribution of resources
•Academic/Social/Emotional growth
•Community Connection
•Parental Involvement
•Learning outside the classroom
•Culturally relevant pedagogy
Positive Educational Practices
I am a strong advocate for project-based learning because I think it promotes a multi-subject
approach, and encourages a multi-faceted exploration of the world. Academically, project-
based learning teaches students critical thinking skills, how to multi-task, and pushes them to
work on real-life applications of their knowledge. In addition, projects are extremely engaging,
and require participation from all students. From a social perspective, project-based learning
helps students develop communication, cooperation, and leadership skills that can be applied
to any field, and any situation. Overall, I feel that this form of teaching helps the student develop
as a whole person, and encourages positive interactions within the classroom
Technology
While technology can be a powerful aid in engaging and challenging young minds, I believe
that an educator must not rely on technology alone to teach her students. Instead, technology
should be used to enhance traditional methods, and support young learners.
Technology can be a fun supplement in project-based learning. Through the incorporation of
interactive websites like Webquest, students become more engaged in otherwise difficult
subjects. In addition, stimulating web games can reinforce lectures in a fun and engaging way.
While some may argue that technology is an elective, in today's job market, having
technological skills is a necessity. By incorporating technology like the Google applications,
Evernote, etc., teachers arm students with marketable tools for the future. In conjunction,

3. Zauderer 3
making students more comfortable with technology can help them feel more prepared for
standardized tests, since the new assessments are taken online. However, technology can be
finicky and somewhat distracting. So, I believe that it is important to make sure that the content
is appropriate, relevant, and functional before incorporating it into the classroom.
Conclusion
My pedagogical, educational, and technological philosophies are connected to one overarching
goal: to make education accessible to all students. As a teacher I will strive to give students
access to learning, but also help them become life-long learners who positively affect the world
around them. Through collaboration with other educators, community members, and students, I
hope to help students grow socially, emotionally, and academically both inside the classroom
and in the community.