Teaching Philosophy

A significant part of teaching today is inclusion. I know that inclusion is essential in our
lives because of my personal experience. I have two brothers with special needs. My older
brother has Down Syndrome, and my younger brother has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Looking at how well they did in a classroom where they were included with their peers has
taught me that they excelled in that environment because it was made inclusive for them. From a
personal outlook, I know that the benefits of inclusion in a classroom will help students thrive in
that learning environment. However, I also understand some of the challenges and frustrations
students face when they have a cognitive and/or physical disability.

I believe every student should have an equal chance to learn and get inspired in and
outside of the classroom. It's essential that students can grow their knowledge through various
forms, which I will strive to do in my classroom. Educating students on the different perspectives
of society will hopefully help them have an open mind on how people live their lives. I also hope
that it allows students to understand that it is okay not to necessarily agree with other people’s
perspectives but to accept and acknowledge that there are different beliefs besides their own.

I believe that personal experience is one of the most valuable assets when it comes to
your career. Throughout my school years, I was on an Individualized Program Plan (IPP), from
grades three until high school. My experience of being on an IPP for math has pushed me to
understand that not all students learn the same. Looking at my experience and knowing how
much I struggled in school pushed me to want to help students learn. In grade 12, I graduated
because my teachers and parents deeply supported me academically. Without those people in my
life, I would not have made it to university. Although this experience is unique and often unheard
of, I believe that through my experience I will be able to help students that also struggle in
school.

Overall, my goal as an educator is to use some of my personal experience as a tool to

help my students excel in their learning environment. In addition, I believe I can inspire students
to learn different perspectives of the world through various forms of teaching. Finally, I hope my
story of being on an IPP will demonstrate to struggling students that it is possible to achieve your
goals.