EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

 

As an educator, it is my hope to inspire a love of learning in my students. I believe all students have the capacity to learn and grow and as a teacher, it is my responsibility to empower them with the skills and knowledge to do so. My educational philosophy is driven by the work of Carol Dweck’s (2006) research into growth mindsets, which in turn informs my inquiry and reflective pedagogical approaches. I’m conscious that psychological distress remains high for Australian school aged students with many indicating a further decline due to the impact of covid 19 (Headspace, 2020 p.1). Students with fixed mindsets are 58% more likely to experience anxiety and depression (Schleider et al., 2015 p.8), while students with growth mindsets experience greater resilience, motivation, and resourcefulness, better preparing them for the future (Kiger, 2017 p. 21).

 

Creating a safe and inclusive classroom environment is therefore my priority. Students should feel supported on their learning journeys and valued as members of a diverse student body. I consider teaching a process that by engaging with regular reflective practice, being adaptive and responsive to new ideas, and collaborating with others in the field will help me meet the demands of the profession and needs of all of my students.

 

Ultimately, my goal is to ensure all my students believe they ‘can get smarter,’ and learn to value the process of learning over the outcome.