The author believes that all children have the innate ability to learn if given opportunities and resources tailored to their individual needs. An ideal education provides a safe, respectful, and stimulating environment for students to grow intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally. As an educator, the author aims to guide student-centered learning through differentiated curriculums that incorporate various learning styles and skills. The goal is to help students become creative, collaborative problem solvers and critical thinkers who are engaged in their education.

1. Philosophy of Education
Dana Wielgus
I believe that all children have the innate ability to learn if they are given the
opportunities and individual resources they need. All children have the right to a quality
education, and moreover to a safe, respectful, and stimulating environment in which they
are able to grow intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally. I believe that all
students are unique and learn differently.
It is an educator’s role to guide students and to provide tools for student-centered
learning, as well as build authentic, differentiated curriculums. An educator must also
incorporate various learning styles, twenty-first century skills and multiple intelligences, as
well as demonstrate and instill global citizenship within the classroom and beyond. In turn,
students can apply learned knowledge to activate a deeper understanding using an
approach that works best for them, as well as inquire and collaborate with their peers, and
become creative problem solvers and critical thinkers.
A twenty-first century educator must also recognize that teaching is a lifelong
learning process. He or she should be enthusiastic about both personal and professional
growth. Twenty-first century educators should implement technology to promote and
enhance learning, collaborate and communicate well, be open to applying new strategies or
philosophies to their lessons, and be able to teach to various global contexts. However, he
or she must also be resourceful and be able to create engaging lessons when there is
limited access to technology.
An ideal classroom setting includes a mixture of formative and summative
assessments to monitor and assess student progress, from projects, to collaborative group
work, to individual work, to hands-on activities. As an educator, I support an inclusive,
supportive, democratic-style classroom that encourages student dialogue and involvement
in topics or subjects studied, in addition to promoting positive behaviors and choices. As
an educator, I believe that teachers need to be compassionate, committed, and sensitive to
the individual needs of each student. Additionally, they should be excited about learning,
and be able to instill that excitement within the students and the classroom.
In conclusion, I am committed to twenty-first century learning, continuous
professional growth, and meeting the individual needs of every student. I aim to bring an
open mind and a positive attitude to the classroom and overall environment, and I will also
take extra strides for my students’ success.