E-Portfolio of MEGAN CHAPMAN

for .PDF version My Philosophy of Education

"The teacher's task is not to implant facts but to place the subject to be learned in front of the learner and, through sympathy, emotion, imagination, and patience, to awaken in the learner the restless drive for answers and insights which enlarge the personal life and give it meaning."
- Nathan M. Pussey, President, from Harvard

     I believe effective teaching includes understanding of knowledge, accountability, motivation, and preparation. I believe it is my job, as the educator, to plant seeds of truth and knowledge in each student that walks through my doors. I want to fuel their thoughts and encourage them to think critically. Through my desire to have a safe, comfortable and professional classroom, I want students to see expectations to follow classroom rules, contribute in the learning process, and have healthy interactions in the classroom.

     I want them to get excited about learning new things, to enjoy growing in knowledge, to come to class expecting. Because all children have different learning styles, the best thing to do would be to create the new material in many ways, so to cover the information better for all students. My focus will be teaching students how to think rather than what to think. As a teacher, I would feel responsible for providing resources to help the children learn problem solving skills. Each student has the ability to encourage another student in the way they work on team projects and group assignments.

     Focusing on what students will need, and what is essential for their future, is something that is important to me as a teaching instructor. When students leave my class I want them to feel as though they are strong enough to achieve all their goals. Upon leaving my classroom, I want my students to feel well prepared to contribute to the world around them and society. I want each of the girls to know that she is a princess, beautiful and important in so many ways. I want each boy in my class to know he is a hero, capable of great things. We are to supply activities that bring out their individual strengths, so that they might be a contributing factor to growth in fellow students. To achieve these targets, in my class there will be a strong emphasis placed on learning styles and differentiation in each lesson.

     To continue educating the youth of tomorrow we, as educators, must continually rediscover the changes and patterns of learning in society today. We must encourage them to ask questions. I think it is a teacher's responsibility to revive our childlike spirits and fall in love with teaching each day. I want to be a person who equips, serves, and encourages young children. My goal is to better prepare my students, not only to succeed the core subjects, but to also prepare them for the real life ahead of them.

Portfolio of Megan Chapman
3103 Vicksburg Place SW, Decatur, Alabama 35603
megan@meganchapman.info http://www.meganchapman.info

Last Updated: 04/23/2009