Philosophy of Education

As a first generation Hispanic young woman, the importance of education was always
discussed about at home. My parents have always been my motivators to get an education. I
remember going to school without knowing a word of English because Spanish was the only
language that was spoken at home. I was identified as an ESL student in kindergarten. I grew up
in an urban area which allowed me to learn about diversity.
In order for children to benefit from what the educational system has to offer, I consider
teaching to be a lifestyle, not just a job, because my goals for my students encompass much more
than just learning and memorizing facts. As a professional, I facilitate learning and individual
growth academically, personally, and ethically.
As a teacher of childhood special education it is my responsibility to motivate my students
to learn. I have a concentration in mathematics because I have a passion for the subject. I have
earned an additional thirty credits in mathematics. Over the years, I have been able to come to
the conclusion that not everyone enjoys mathematics like I do, therefore, I make sure to motivate
my class in a way that they can enjoy math. Its my obligation to spread my passion of math. To
achieve active learning, I demonstrate enthusiasm and express confidence in my students
because I know that they have abilities to learn and they can be successful. In my classroom, I
use hands on manipulatives because my students are better able to understand math concepts and
become critical thinkers. As John Dewey said, students learn by doing. The use of manipulatives
are beneficial to kinesthetic and visual learners because they are able to see and theyre able to
move objects around. In the classroom, I refer to mathematics outside of the building because
math is everywhere. With the integration of the Common Core standards, it is my responsibility
to teach my students mathematics in the way that the country wants me to teach it. I am patient

with waiting for my students to grasp a mathematical concept. An important aspect is using
technology in the classroom because technology interests students. Introducing a game, an
educational app, a video or a movie, I believe students are better motivated. Also, I am bilingual
and Im able to communicate with parents who are Hispanic and may not speak any or limited
English. I am also able to help my Spanish speaking students who struggle with English or the
newcomers. In my classroom, I am culturally responsive because I acknowledge every single
cultural identity, I educate my students about the diversity of the world around them, I promote
equity and mutual respect among each student and culture, and I assist my students in becoming
socially conscious despite their culture. I am able to build relationships with my students because
I let them see the importance of every culture in my class. It is my responsibility to make my
students feel welcomed in my classroom despite their cultural background and language
differences.
In my classroom, students have freedom that allows for expression and creativity. Students
are able to experiment with likes and dislikes and they are able to realize their strengths and
weaknesses. I also create a classroom that is a safe learning environment for all. If my students
do not feel safe in my classroom, whether it is emotionally, physically, or socially, their defense
systems will go up and their learning will greatly decrease.. It is important to me that my
students, as well as their parents, other teachers, administrators, and people in the community,
see me as someone they can approach, and nondiscriminatory.
Classroom organization is also a key concept in my classroom. My students know where
everything is located. My classroom is a classroom where my students feel warm, safe and its an
environment where students are always willing to learn new material. I use a variety of teaching
styles based on the variety of learning styles that my students have. I know that in my classroom

there are auditory, kinesthetic, visual, reflective and verbal students and I incorporate all the
learning styles in my lesson plans so that each student learns the material.
I, an educator, firmly believe in the ability to have an open mind. It is extremely important
to consider any advice, whether its a positive or a negative one. I am also able to try new ideas
and concepts because there is always change in the education system. It is my responsibility to
attend workshops and National Council of Teachers of Mathematics conferences throughout the
year and enhance my professional learning. Through the workshops and conferences, I will keep
becoming a better educator. The workshops will help me become a better reflective practitioner
because I will be able to reflect on what I can do to improve my teaching skills or better teach a
lesson.
In choosing to be a teacher, I have made the commitment to myself, students, and my future
students to be the best academic, personal, and ethical role model. It is my goal to have an
enriching teaching career by keeping an open mind and communicating regularly with my peers
and students. I will be prepared face the challenges of teaching, and I will always try to provide a
well-rounded education to every student I encounter.