Shawna Reedy's Philosophy

of Education and Discipline

The school setting is where children go to learn the information that will allow them to be a success in life. As a teacher, my role then is to do everything I can to provide these life-instructions to my students. In my classroom, my students will learn skills on how to create good relationships with peers, families, and everyone else in the community. My students will learn respect for themselves, others, and the environment they live in. They will be provided with a firm foundation with a broad-based knowledge allowing them to make educated decisions in their lives. My classroom curriculum will be set up accordingly to fulfill these needs that my students bring to the classroom.

The core subjects will be arranged in such a manner as to facilitate decision-making, cooperative learning, and a language-based approach to education. I will provide my students with the opportunities presented in learning centers, small-group activities, and individualized instruction.

Since family and community are a major part of students' lives, parents and community involvement in the classroom is a necessity. I intend to actively pursue parent volunteers to help in every aspect of the classroom environment. Time will also be allotted for students to become familiar with their communities and the opportunities they provide. I will have community leaders and members meet with the students and actively participate in their learning. Spending time with their parents and communities while in class will allow my students to see the direct result of their learning.

I am very confident that I will be able to provide students with a positive and beneficial learning environment. I am aware of my strengths in the knowledge of the curriculum and my ability to use a variety of methods to teach them, as well as the limitations I will be presented with both within and outside of the classroom environment. When student behavior conflict with the classroom behaviors required during a certain time, firm discipline will come into play. I believe that both the misbehaving child and the other students in the class all have the right to an educational environment free from disruptions but I will do what is necessary and what is permitted me by the school district to ensure that this environment does not get corrupted by misbehavior.

In conclusion, I feel that I would be an asset to a school system open to creative teaching practices, where students' wants and needs are brought into play as well as subject matter the state finds important. Student success can only be achieved this way. I am sure of my ability to send out into the community students who are knowledgeable, communicate effectively, respect their surroundings, and display all the other life-skills they need to succeed.