Jeaniemai Tran discusses her beliefs about teaching and education in her Statement of Informed Beliefs. She believes that teaching is a skill that is learned over many years of education and experience, and that the goal of teaching is to help all students learn regardless of challenges. She also discusses the importance of setting clear rules and expectations for students, recognizing individual strengths and weaknesses, and ensuring that no student falls behind. Tran believes it is a teacher's responsibility to provide multiple ways of learning and additional assistance to struggling students to help ensure all students can learn.

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STATEMENT OF INFORMED BELIEFS
Statement of Informed Beliefs
Jeaniemai Tran
Instructor: Carol Billing
EDUC 204: Families, Communities, Culture, Online Course
Spring 2012

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Statement of Informed Beliefs
Teaching is not something I can learn overnight because the skills are learned through
years of education, field experience, and getting certified. The goal of being an educator to teach
any student to learn even if he or she struggles to learn a native language which is English, has a
disability, or has a different type learning skills than others. It important to set rules and
regulations amongst ourselves and the classroom that we plan on managing. Furthermore,
teaching is worth every moment when a child is inspired to learn.
All Students Can Learn
A teacher is good educator if they can get every student in the class to learn by offering a
variety of ways of learning, provide additional assistance to those who are struggling, and never
leave a young mind behind. A good teacher recognizes each student’s strengths and weaknesses.
Each student has unique way of learning. Each student may have one or more disabilities that
can withheld his or her ability to do well when compare to other students. Another barrier to
learning is language. In America, English is not always the first language to learn.
Students’ ability to learn and the teacher’s responsibility in the process
As long as you are enthusiastic about the subject content then your students will want to
learn. Have hands on materials such as worksheets which allow all of the students to work on
paper for those tactile learners. All worksheets must be corrected by the teacher during their
progress so each student can see what he or she is doing wrong. The student can immediately fix
the problem and the teacher can correct the issue in a timely manner. For example, Emily in 1st
grade is subtracting twelve minus eight and equals to three. After Emily has completed her math
assignment she raises her hand. Miss Bauer notices that Emily had miss problem number ten
when the answer supposes to be four and not three. Miss Bauer tells Emily she had miss number

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ten and to try that problem again. When Emily couldn’t figure out on how to do the subtraction,
Miss Bauer related the same numbers into problem solving. She asked Emily if she had twelve
apples and she took eight away, how much apples she would have left. Emily answer four apples
were left because Miss Bauer drew all the twelve apples on the piece of paper and had Emily
mark on the eight apples that were going to be taken away. Overall, Emily finally understood
subtraction by drawing it out and limiting what it was asking for.
Ensuring that all students will learn
Give all students weekly assessments based on daily activities or lesson plans. Ask them
what he or she remembers learning about the activity and sees if he or she can do another
assignment without any assistance. Also give the students a list spelling words that he or she
needs to know by end of the week. Coordinate the spelling words into other subjects such
reading and/or created cut and paste activity. The cut and paste activity have a word belong to
another a list of category. On every Fridays, spelling bee quiz would be another part of his or her
assessment. Most importantly, instruct lesson plans where it applies to all type learners. For
example, smart board or writing board for visual learners.
Classroom management
Set rules in the classroom and model them because students do see what you do, how you
act, and what you wear in the classroom. Students tend to respect the teacher when he or she
knows that rules apply to everyone in the classroom. Emphasize the rules in the classroom on
daily basis and be consistent with the consequences and rewards. Have a reward system for those
who do well in class because kids love attention. Therefore, having the educational background
is the first step of becoming a teacher. To be a good educator, I must understand all possibilities
that can occur such as ELL, students with disabilities, and also students who have challenges

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learning one type of method or another. The best solution of being a good teacher is following
along with my student progress; work on his or her strengths/weaknesses, and not allowing any
student to follow behind.
Teacher’s Expectations
Part of being an educator means setting high expectations for each individual in the
classroom. The teacher expectations can range from due dates to the students’ behavior. Any
misconduct or misbehavior then the students should know the consequences based on the current
rules that were set. For hard work, the students can be rewarded and graded appropriately based
on his or her effort. Therefore, it is the teacher’s job to explain what is expected in the classroom
by setting standards for behavior and due dates. The educational goals would be not allowing any
student to fall behind because every student should have the opportunity to succeed, but
encourage the students do his or her best.
Teacher expectations influence students’ ability to learn
An instructor working with a reward system such as extrinsic and intrinsic can effective
in the classroom because each student can determine on their own if it is worth giving the time
and effort. For example, a student will be expected by the teacher to turn in his or her book
report in by the end of month and no late work will be accepted. If the teacher set the bar high,
then the students should not expect anything less. For the students who choose not to do a book
report, may receive a failing grade and a conference meeting with their parents. The grades will
reflect his or her progress. Setting the expectations when is due allows the student process when
the assignment needs to be turn in a timely manner with no exception of late work.
Educational goals and their importance

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The educational goals would be setting up students for success. Making clear boundaries
on what is expected in class. For example a punishment such as time out after few warnings or
reward for their good behavior. Let the students know how to act and respond each other
appropriately. Eventually, setting rules and regulation will teach them how to act in society.
It is important to set rules and expectation as soon each individual walks in the
classroom. Do not favor any students and always model good behavior. Provide a calendar when
the assignments or projects are due. Explain what will happen if any academic work does not get
turn in on time. Always encourage student do well and allow each student ask for help if needed.
Student’s Social Ecology Theory
Being an example is vital for students because they are the ones who see how a teacher
behaves in class on a daily basis. Not every day will be a perfect day, but by not allowing any
misconduct, you can limit any bullying or harassment. Treat kids as if they were your own.
Therefore, rules need to be in place and modeled in proper way.
The importance of connecting learning to students’ social ecology
It is important to understand what ecology means and what is used for. “Ecology is the
science of interrelationships between organism and their environment. Ecology involves
studying humans in their physical, social, and cultural environment, all of which affected by
societal change” (Berns, 2007). In a classroom setting, an educator like me would enforce rules
and model them. If I tell a child to act in certain way, then I expect them to obey. I would want
my students to model my behavior because it is idea of “monkey sees and monkey do.” Kids at
any age will copycat any bad or good behavior. As a teacher, the rules are in place so enforce
them and any misconduct can lead to timeout during recess or being sent to principle for
detention. By enforcing the rules, students will take my expectations seriously and know that I

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am commander of this classroom. Therefore, it is good teach them the rules of classroom, model
the behavior, set certain expectation how towards one and another, and show how socialization
skills to used.
Impact on students’ learning
The student can be influences easily because the outcome of families, cultures, and
communities contribution. The factors include encouragement, strong beliefs, empowerment,
persuasion, the will power, or discouragement. Some families will either praise his or her child
for good grades, but it will vary from culture to culture. A culture such as myself was raise to
have only A’s or B’s because anything lower than an B would be consider to be a failure and
dishonor to the Asian family. When I was young kid, I was only allowed to do what I please if I
had good grades in school and stayed out of trouble. I was not spoiled or given rewards when I
was child, but having the freedom actually keep myself out of mischief and it was ideal life when
I was teenager. As far for communities, I went to Catholic Church and counseling at school to
find a support especially when I was faced with challenges of peer pressure, body image,
depression, and eating disorder. I was able overcome any obstacle during my teenage years
because I made a habit of keeping good friends close and ignoring to those who would want to
cause damage to my life. Therefore, I was empower to do well in school because the freedom
that I give by my mother, all of my teacher believing that I can do it, and having the communities
support me through each rough patch in my life.
Growing up from being child to adulthood, made me understand why all of my teachers
wanted the best for me. I want to have to same reflection towards my future students. I know in
the rule world has it challenges but it make it easier when I can get along with people that I love
and believing in myself that I can do it. I treat people with respect even towards the one I do not

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know because I feel that life is too short to be negative and to dwell on the past. If model the
behavior in certain aspect then I know I am doing good if someone else is doing same and shares
that same behavior with others.
Cultural Diversity Instruction
It is important to understand where a student maybe coming from because each student
may have something that everyone can learn about and each individual may adapt differently in
America lifestyle. Therefore, our goal as an educator is teach every student to appreciate their
own originality.
Build on the life histories and experiences of students’ ethnic backgrounds
Before school is started, the parents of these young minds have opportunity to fill out a
form about his or her nationality and race. Beginning the year it is important for the teachers to
review these surveys and then do some research on that particular country. This is so those
student will feel comfortable in the classroom. After the research, the teacher can decorate the
room with each of the student’s flags to make the student feel that he or she is part of the class.
As an educator, I would suggest to the entire class to bring a picture of their family to share with
the class. This way all of the students are aware of where their peers are coming from.
Difference between Cultural Pluralism and Cultural Assimilation
The difference between Cultural Pluralism and Cultural Assimilation is that Cultural
Pluralism is mutual appreciation and understanding of various cultures, and coexistence in
society of different languages, religious beliefs, and lifestyles, and Cultural assimilation is the
process whereby a minority (subordinate) cultural group takes on the characteristics of the
majority (dominant) cultural group according to the 8th
edition of Child, Family, School,
Community Socialization and Support by Roberta M. Berns on page 202-203. In America our

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national language is English and we expect whoever comes into our country to learn our
language. For example, if a family from Mexico migrates and is looking for the America dream
then they are expected to learn our language and our custom. The America dream is find a well
stable job, buying a home, and building family successful with the privilege of freedom.
Cultural Pluralism is when a particular wants to preserve their customs and
traditions. For example, some cultures don’t celebrate certain holidays like Christmas, or
Thanksgiving. Certain cultures will believe it is important to celebrate in their own independents
as well as America. These particular cultures believe that America should be a melting pot. A
melting pot is the idea that society should socialize diverse groups to blend into common culture
(Berns, 2007). Therefore, most of these cultures will believe in the celebration of unity, freedom,
and combining cultures.
Curriculum for all Learners and make adjustments in planning, delivery, and assessment
The adjustments in planning, delivery, and assessment will depend on if or when I will a
student with a disability or language barrier in the class. I would make expectation for
Individualized Education Program (IEP) students because there are times a student will need
additional time, assisted, or needed to be more challenge. For the well and gifted students, I’d
suggest a more complex reading level to enhance their reading ability and intelligence by
offering a book from their higher grade level. During reading time, each individual must take
turn to read out aloud because I want a student to learn to be patient with other students pace,
correct mispronunciations, and following along with the story. After the story is read, the
assessment will involve if the student knew the main character, what was story about, where the
story set place was, and how it started. The assessment can be written on their own constructed

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piece of paper and to be shared with the class. Depending on grade level, grading can be
optional.
Teacher assessment informs instructional planning and delivery
In the beginning week, each student in the class will be given a list spelling words.
The spelling words can be utilized in varies of lessons plan such as incomplete sentence/fill the
blank worksheets, reading materials, and cut & paste activity. Using worksheet will teach the
students to work on their penmanship and memorization because of the repetition and visual that
is creating in the student mind. The reading material will give an opportunity for the students to
highlight words from their spelling list. The cut & paste activity involves setting the word in
accordingly order such as words with “ee”, “ea”, and “eo.” I would always demonstrate how to
do the cut& paste activity before I have student do it on their own. By the end of the year, I
expect all of my students this activity and worksheet with little assistant, but still being monitor.
Ensuring that each learner improves from his or her original level of learning
I would have a goal setting called, “SMART.”A poster board of SMART will be
posted on the wall for the students to see daily. “SMART” goal stands for Specific, Measurable,
Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Using SMART as a goal setting allows the students to
have additional time for improvement, can be plan between the instructor and themselves, the
expectation can be set high, and a follow up will be needed. The instructor such as myself, will
plan due dates when homework or project are needed to be done. The student are responsible to
turn what is expected and in a timely manner. Student can be rewarded for their hard work or
given consequences for failing to doing their homework or project. The follow up can come in a
progress report and conference meeting with their parents. Therefore, the SMART goal and
overview with the students will encourage them to work harder.

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Conclusion
Teaching young minds comes from years of education, field experiences, and aspiration
for the kids. The goal of making a student successful is finding what works with them. A good
teacher understands the potential barriers that may occur, but always setting high expectation. A
great teacher make sure a student does not fall behind in class, create lessons plans that works
with all types of learners, and is well-organized. Therefore, a perfect teacher believes all students
can learn and succeed.

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References
Berns, R. M. (2010). Child, Family, School, Community Socialization and Support. Belmont:
Wadsworth.