Yocasta Rojas

Philosophy of Education

Working with students with special needs has really open up a different world for
me. I have learned to be more patient, to care more and to always look for different ways
of doing things. I have learned that not all people learn the same way or through the
same steps. Students with special needs have their own unique strengths and
weaknesses. Some children may have recognizable disabilities, such as a child with
cerebral palsy who is in a wheelchair or a child with vision difficulties who wears glasses.
Other children, while not having been diagnosed with a specific disability, may exhibit
challenging behaviors that interrupt the daily routine. For this reason it is important to
consider each child as a unique individual who needs a secure, caring, and stimulating
atmosphere in which to grow and mature emotionally, intellectually, and socially. As a
future educator I want to help my students meet their fullest potential in these areas by
implementing the different strategies I have learned through my graduate studies and
my personal experience.
In the classroom it is important to provide an environment that is safe, supports
risk-taking, and invites a sharing of ideas. My goal as a teacher is to guide my students
through stimulating and challenging classwork in order to prepare them for any school
assessment, or life circumstance they may incur. By being the primary source of
information and providing access to other types of information, I will allow my students
the opportunity to discover and construct knowledge in order to develop their skills in
real life situations. Developing a curriculum around the students need is important since
some students are visual learners, while others are tactile learners. Therefore, I would
differentiate my class material in ways that would help the students understand the
material being taught. By using scaffolding strategies and relating the material to the
students interest I will be able to foster intrinsic motivation. Using behavior
modification, class meetings and positive discipline will allow me to observe and
measure behaviors within the classroom.
It is also important to be considerate of the students. Some students come to
school frustrated or upset. As a teacher, I am the mediator that will help him in his
transition throughout the school day. I have to be considerate of the students feelings
and actions. Teaching provides an opportunity for continual learning and growth. One
of my hopes as an educator is to instill a love of learning in my students, as I share my
own passion for learning with them.