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My Teaching Philosophy: Building Relationships and Empowering Minds.

Holly Steelman

UED 496: Field Experience E-Portfolio

Dr. Jenny Sue Flannagan

April 26, 2024

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In my classroom, learning is a dynamic and positive process in which students actively

participate in their own education rather than merely receiving information. My instructional

strategy centers on establishing a welcoming and stimulating learning atmosphere that fosters

students' social and personal development in addition to providing academic understanding.

I firmly believe in the power of connection above all else. Establishing trust in

relationships with students is essential to teaching effectively. My goal is to foster an

environment of mutual respect and encouragement in the classroom so that students can

communicate freely and feel heard, appreciated, and understood. I work to promote an

environment where different viewpoints are not only acknowledged but also celebrated. I value

the distinctive perspectives and experiences that every student brings to the learning community.

I'm dedicated to making education enjoyable because I believe students learn more when

they are engaged. I incorporate interactive and hands-on activities into my classes to

accommodate a variety of learning preferences and make sure every student has the chance to

succeed. Whether through group projects, conversations, or creative assignments, my goal is to

cultivate a spirit of inquiry and excitement in the classroom. My objective is to assist students in

recognizing the handprints of God in all aspects of their academic journey. We are talking about

the complexities of mathematics, the beauty of literature, or the intricacies of science.

Mistakes are important teaching moments. I promote a growth mindset in them by creating

an atmosphere where students feel comfortable taking chances and pushing themselves. I place

an emphasis on the learning process rather than the final product, encouraging students to

become resilient, persistent, and to love lifelong learning. In the beginning of my teaching

journey, I was terrified of making mistakes. As I have gone through the education program at

Regent University, this has changed tremendously! I am now completely okay with mistakes
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because I know it is proof that I am growing. I hope to instill this mindset on my students that all

mistakes are is a chance to grow! As long as you learn from your mistake and try to do better, it

is just proof that you are growing!

I hope to create a transformative learning environment that includes trust in God, character

development, the integration of faith and learning, and building communities. This will echo the

Christian call to love and serve one another while preparing students academically for purposeful

and fulfilling lives spent serving others.

As a teacher, I am committed to using a range of teaching strategies and modifying my

approach in response to the changing environment of the classroom in order to meet the

individual needs of each student. With the help of differentiated instruction, I can meet the needs

of each student individually and make sure they get the help they require to progress.

Lastly, I believe that education is a team effort involving students, teachers, and the larger

community. Through the engagement of parents, caregivers, and other relevant parties, my goal

is to establish a comprehensive educational program that goes beyond traditional classroom

boundaries. Together, we can give students the groundwork they need to grow into responsible,

compassionate, and informed members of society. Over my 4 years at Regent University, my

philosophy has changed tremendously. I went into the program striving to be a teacher who cared

and prioritized emotions over anything else. As I have gone through the program, I have learned

how to balance content and social emotional learning all in one. Our classroom community is all

about learning; learning how to read, write, work out math problems, and control our emotions.

To conclude, my teaching philosophy revolves around cultivating a sense of community,

honoring diversity, and producing an exciting educational environment. I want to enable my

students to succeed academically as well as become lifelong learners who approach challenges
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with curiosity, resilience, and joy by creating a classroom environment where they feel heard,

valued, and engaged just as God has shown to me.