My Teaching Philosophy

Teachers hold an assortment of beliefs about such things as their students, their subject matter, and teaching itself. What we believe as teachers has a strong influence over our behavior and how we will teach. I believe that an educator’s most important job is to be the student’s own personal cheerleader; especially in the case of At-Risk children. I believe that every student should be made to feel that they are capable of learning, no matter what their circumstances are.
There are many students in the classroom that are affected by circumstances that can distress their lives and learning. These students are at substantial risk for dropping out of school. As a future educator, I will make it one of my goals to give these students extra help and attention so they can be put on the right path for future success. Some of these students come from broken homes or families that work a great deal, so the children are often left alone. I believe that although it might not be in the job description, a teacher should provide as much additional help and care that they can for any student that needs it.
In my classroom each student will be made to feel special and unique. I will respect each student regardless of their cultural background or ethnicity. In my classroom I will encourage my students to become familiar with each others cultures so that we will all be more understanding of those around us. I want each one of my students know that when they come to my classroom they are coming to a place where someone cares about them and is willing to help them in any way I can.
Another aspect of teaching that I feel strongly about is becoming familiar with the different theorists and their theories, such as Erickson, Piaget, Kohlberg, and Gardner. Each of these theorists, aside from Gardner, has their own view of the different stages that a person goes through from childhood to adulthood. Gardner created his belief of the multiple intelligences, which I believe is very important when helping your students learn.
I believe that it is very important for a teacher to be trained and possess the skills that are relevant to instructing and managing a classroom. Educators should receive proper knowledge that informs them of the variety of ways to manage a classroom and provide instruction to their students.
As mentioned before, I feel very strongly about educators providing help to their students as well as being there to motivating their students to learn. Teachers have not only taken on the role of educator, but also confidant and motivator. In my classroom I will try to display both of these characteristics towards my students as well as many more.

20 Interesting Facts about the artist Faith Ringgold

1. Faith Ringgold was born in 1930.
2. She was raised in Harlem, New York
3. She began her artistic career as a painter.
4. She is best known for her story quilts.
5. She studied art at New York's City College.
6. She later went abroad to study in Paris with other artists.
7. During her college years she became a feminist activist; she helped to influence museums to display the works of women and African-Americans.
8. Throughout the years she has exhibited her artwork in major museums around the world.
9. She has also written and illustrated 11 children's books.
10. She has received more than 75 awards, honors, fellowships, and citations.
11. Her first book was titled Tar Beach.
12. Tar Beach was awarded the Caldecott Honor award.
13. Faith Ringgold also received the Coretta Scott King award for best illustration for Tar Beach.
14. You can find some of Faith Ringgold's artwork on display at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia.
15. The first story quilt Faith Ringgold created was titled, "Who's Afraid of Aunt Jemima?
16. Faith Ringgold has said that she uses her art to tell a story.
17. She is married and has two daughters.
18. She is a professor of Art at the University of California in San Diego.
19. Her personal motto states, If one can, Anyone can, All you gotta do is fly.
20. If you look on her personal website, you can find a racial questionaire.