2015 Working Teaching Philosophy

Alexandria Kvenvold

Where have I been and where am I now?

After graduating from high school, I have had the amazing opportunities to supervise a summer
dance camp for students K-9th grade for five years, as well as coaching a junior high dance team for 2
years. Through those years I was uncertain where my college career was taking me. I enjoyed working with
my dancers and teaching them what I know. I found joy when my students/dancers had their ah-ha
moments. After graduating from RCTC with a Liberal Arts and Sciences Associates Degree, I went into the
WSU-Rochester Elementary Education Program. Through this program I was able to get clinical hours in
grades K-6 within the Rochester Public Schools as well as the St. Charles Elementary Schools. Throughout
my clinical hours I experienced and learned how to assess students, work in whole group and small group
settings. Furthermore, I was able to work in diverse classrooms where I was able to learn the art of having
classroom management and keeping students engaged. In addition, I did two students teaching
experiences both in kindergarten. I was able to experiences a 6 week student teaching at the beginning of
the year at Harriet Bishop Elementary to learn about how to build a community, get to know my students,
and learn how to set rules and expectations. In the spring I completed a 10 week students teaching
experiences at Bamber Valley Elementary where I learned how to create and teach differentiated lessons to
meet our state standards.
As a teacher, I know that I will always be a learner which is why I connected with the quote by
Joseph Joubert who wrote, to teach is to learn twice. This gives me the wisdom in knowing that, it is my
duty to keep developing as a student first to become the best teacher that I can personally be. Which is the
reason why I am continuing my education through Winona State University. I am pursing a Masters degree
in Education through the Graduate Induction Program with an anticipated program completion date of July
2015. As a resident, I am currently teaching full-time kindergarten at Sunset Terrace. Through this year I
have created and implemented responsive classroom techniques and community building opportunities for
my students. I have become knowledgeable in differentiated teaching skills, and developed the skills to
assess students formally and informally. I have also had the opportunity to plan for and worked alongside a
full-time paraprofessional. Furthermore, I have learned how to implement positive behavior intervention
support (PBIS) for my students.
I have decided to become a teacher because I have found a true joy in being able to help students
gain the foundational skills that they will use for the rest of their lives and help them reach their full

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Alexandria Kvenvold

potential. I also have realized that although I teach, I tend to learn something new every day from my
students and from other teachers that I meet. I love that no matter what is going on or how the day ends, I
know that at least once a day I will get to laugh and smile as well as a hug from a student. I believe
strongly, if I truly enjoy what I am doing, it will not feel like work. When students accomplish something and
they get their aha moments it is an amazing feeling to see how far they have come in such a short amount
of time.
It is my goal to combine my range of experience with my ability to be a compassionate,
enthusiastic teacher who will make a positive contribution to your school district. Overall my objective in
having a teaching position is; to teach and inspire in an inclusive, diverse, positive, and responsive
classroom environment, where student learning and building a classroom community is a fundamental
focus in my everyday teachings; to be a contributing team member and to grow as a professional.
How would you address a wide range of skills and abilities in your classroom?
I have learned that there is no one-way to address a wide range of skills and abilities in my
classroom. It will vary from year to year depending on the students within my room, but for every year I
typically have a general outline that I will follow. I pre-assess my students to figure out what it is they
already know as well as how I am going to evaluate their growth. In addition, I take the time to get to know
and understand my students, what their best learning style is, what they enjoy, who they can work with, and
where they learn best. I have found that in my teaching and re-teaching the use of different strategies and
different learning approaches will help students become masters in the standard we are working towards. I
conduct a summative assessment and use the collective data to determine which students have mastered
the material and which students need further instruction. Re-teaching is important to fill the gaps in
understanding that a students may have before moving on to the next topic. Some of the teaching and reteaching strategies that I use include: whole group instruction, small group instruction, pairs or individual
instruction, games and activities, center work for review, and peers teaching and review with other
students. Finally throughout the year there are many times where I will bring out instruction, games, or
activities that students use for review to make sure they still understand the materials.
What do you need to know in order to begin lesson planning?
In order to begin lesson planning, I need to know the standard and objective that we are working
towards, if there is any curriculum that is to be used, what my students already know, as well as how I am

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Alexandria Kvenvold

going to evaluate their growth. In addition, it is important to know and understand the children you will be
teaching: How do they learn best? What gets them excited? Who can they work with or next two? Where
do they learn best? What type of learner are they?
Describe how you have used collaboration to increase student achievement.
I have used a multitude of different collaborations to increase student achievement. I have
collaborated with students, team members, and behavior or subject specialist. My first and most successful
collaboration has been when I am meeting for PLC. We have pulled data such as sight words or number
recognition; we shared strategies on how we can increase the students who are below as well as those
who are not. I took these strategies and used them in my classroom. When we pulled the same data a
month or two later, I was able to see the increase in my student achievement for the majority of my
students. Furthermore, I have had the amazing opportunity to have a full time paraprofessional in my
classroom. I have been able to collaborate with her in pulling students who need extra work on things such
as letters, sight words, or comprehension. This few minutes of extra support is such an important aspect of
their achievement, especially for those who do not get the support at home. In addition, I have been
working with our reading specialists to pull our Tier 2 and 3 students for extra support as well. I have
noticed since the beginning of the year they are unable to achieve reading objectives as quickly as peers,
but with the extra daily support that is very specific to their objectives, these students are making an
increase in achievement faster than I thought!
Describe the skills or attributes you believe are necessary to be an outstanding teacher.
I believe that an outstanding teaching needs a large variety of skills and attributes. An amazing
teacher needs to have the ability to be warm, accessible, caring, enthusiastic, and sympathetic. I also have
a high belief that an outstanding teacher is someone who respects all of his/her students and sets the right
atmosphere. The right atmosphere would include building a community within the classroom with high yet
achievable expectations and goals. I also think it is important for a teacher to have a love to learn, to be a
leader, along with being professional. A remarkable teacher can plan lessons to meet not only the
standards but also to help each individual child grow as much as they are able to. In addition, teachers
must be able to be flexible in modifying lessons to meet student and classroom needs not only
academically, but also emotionally and physically.

2015 Working Teaching Philosophy

Alexandria Kvenvold

Describe what your classroom would look like to signify to an outside observer that you have
established a strong culture for learning.
I want my classroom to have a look that says, children explore, work, play and learn here! I plan
on making sure that in my classroom I will post up the objectives that we will be working on for the day, a
word wall that students can use, as well as anchor charts that we have created or used.
In addition, I plan on having the majority of my classroom that is accessible for students to use at
any point. For example, I think it is important for students to be able to be able to look at and read a large
variety of books, which is why I will have a classroom library with a range of genres and levels that students
are able to use. Our classroom library will also have items to make it more comfortable such as chairs or
pillows. Furthermore students always have access to supplies for both academic and choice time, such as
pencils, markers, paper, toys, books, and many other items.
Things I have learned:
-

Differentiation is key to helping students succeed at their level.

Setting up expectations, rules, and a community environment is important to do in the first 6-15

weeks of school.
Get to know your students early on. Ask questions.
Set up a positive communication with parents/guardians.
Ask for help if you need it.
Experience (hands on) opportunities is what will help students grow and understand what you

are teaching. (Gestalt Theory)

Help students gain 21st century skills so they have a positive future.

Previous Philosophy Statements:

My philosophy, just like myself as a teacher, learner, and individual, is something that is ever
developing. I know that I have a strong impact on each child who I work with in my classroom. As an
educator, I know that each child is a unique individual who has a variety of intellectual, social, and personal
developmental needs. With this, I hope to prepare each individual student to become a knowledgeable,
well-rounded child. I will do this by building positive relationships; serve as a role-model, facilitator, mentor,
motivator, and supporter. I know that I am teaching them the foundation for their future, the life-long skills
they need for their growth and development. My role as a teacher, while supporting optimal learning, will be

2015 Working Teaching Philosophy

Alexandria Kvenvold

to take each child that is in my classroom into account for each lesson and use a variety of tools,
techniques, and styles that I have had to opportunity to develop.
I will develop a classroom environment where students will feel safe, secure, and comfortable to
learn. My goal is to have rules set and a classroom management in place where children will be able to
achieve Maslows second need of being safe and having security. Within this environment and community
my students will have a positive and fun learning experience that has very high yet achievable expectations
set by themselves, their peers, and myself. In our room students will have the opportunity to make mistakes
and learn from them as well as celebrate success. Inside our classroom and school community it is
important for the students to realize that they are just as responsible for their learning as we are of their
teaching. We, educators, will be working together to provide the best education they can possibly receive.
Overall, I will create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement
in learning, and self motivation (Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice, 5).
To support optimal learning, I feel that I need to make sure that I am flexible in my plans so that
students can have their own wonderful ideas and ah-ha moments in their discoveries. I want to also be
willing to learn from my children as well as to watch them grow over the year. I will be a mentor to multiple
students who have a large variety of learning abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. I will give each student
their own opportunities to learn from success, grow from mistakes, and take responsibility in their own
learning. I will help them continue to grow and develop their minds and their own learning tools. I will lead
by example, modeling, Scaffolding (Vygotsky), along with using the methods of Gradual Release of
Responsibility (Pearson & Gallagher). I have come to the realization that each child may not stay or grow
on the same level as their peers. I will use a large variety of teaching techniques that will help each child
have their own success and growth rates. While teaching I like to use multiple different styles, depending
on the subject and the students who are learning it. I will use whole group direct instruction, guided
instruction, peer instruction, differentiation, and individual work. Most of my teaching styles will depend
directly on what works best for the children. Sometimes I will have specific curriculum that I will need to
follow, yet I realized that some students will need these lessons to be differentiated to their specific needs. I
have learned that assessing my students and getting to know each child individually will help me gain
understanding of how best to teach a lesson. In addition, I think it is important to try to integrate different
subjects together in a learning environment for students. I believe that in integrating subjects it shows
children more of real life situations and makes it more engaging.

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Alexandria Kvenvold

As an elementary educator, I know that to be the best possible teacher to my students I actually
need to be a learner first as said in the quote, to teach is to learn twice. This also gives me the wisdom in
knowing that, it is my duty to keep developing as a student to become the best teacher that I can be. I am
excited to flounder and be scared when something does not go right, such as a change in the curriculum. It
is then that I know if I am not 100% comfortable, I am truly learning (Zone of Proximal Development). I will
continue to use multiple professional development techniques such as classes, trainings, learn about new
curriculum, and new teaching techniques.
I believe that as a teacher it is important to develop a strong partnership and relationship with that
of the students parents/guardians, the community, in addition to the school. Having a strong partnership
with parents/guardians is important because although a large portion of learning happens at school, there
are still things that need to be worked on at home. If the support is not happening at home, then students
could fall behind simply because they did not get that extra time reading or practicing words. I think it is
most important for the children to know that their parents/guardians support their learning. In addition to this
partnership, I think it is also important to bring the community into the classroom and talk about real life
situations for students to grasp or relate too. After all, the community is where most of these children will
end up in the long run and it is important for them to know that they are welcomed into the community.
Furthermore, the students and myself need a strong relationship with our school and our principle to have a
successful and positive year.
With that being said I have a lot that I want to accomplish within this year. One of my goals actually
comes in the form of a quote, I want to inspire people. I want someone to look at me and say, because of
you I didnt give up. This quote can be seen in many different lights, but I think the most important way I
see it is that I want to be the teacher in a students life that makes a difference. I want to be the teacher that
not only teaches them the academics but also helps them learn the lifelong skills they will need for many
years to come. Overall my goal is; to teach and inspire in an inclusive, diverse, positive, and responsive
classroom environment, where student learning and building a classroom community is a fundamental
focus; to be a contributing team member and to grow as a professional.
. I believe STEM is very important to teaching and learning now because of how much our children
are going to need to know in their future. Children are asked to be completely proficient in STEM (Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Math) subjects by the time they graduate. It is in the elementary ages that

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Alexandria Kvenvold

children should learn and have a good conceptual knowledge of all of these subjects. I feel very strongly
about this because I feel now, that I missed out on having a good base understanding of these subjects.
STEM Experiences
My experiences as a learner of STEM have really taught me how much I feel like I missed out on
really good learning experiences. I feel like if I would have had STEM more in classrooms throughout my
childhood I would have been so much more prepared for my own future. STEM has really made me open
my eyes on how much I would have learned better and if we had more STEM in the school systems when I
was in school. I really like the fact that you can actually integrate all of the different subjects into some
lessons and focus on some benchmarks without the kids realizing that they are doing math or English. I
also saw firsthand how it is so important it is to spark childrens curiosity in these subjects. It makes all of
the difference in how the students actually participate in science, math, and engineering.
Content Knowledge
The content knowledge that I bring to STEM education is I feel that I know the basic skills of all of
the subjects in STEM. With these skills I am able to make lesson plans that will be able to fulfill these
subjects. I have learned that an important part of STEM is knowing that I am able to make things interesting
and ask the right questions to keep children engaged and learning. I also know that I have the knowledge
of how to grow my knowledge in these areas so that I make sure I am able to be an effective STEM
educator. I have taken many science classes such as Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, Zoology,
and many more where I learn a lot of content knowledge in different areas of science. I have also been able
to experience the science aspect of Zebrafish. I was able to have an externship at Mayo Clinic to work with
scientists and members of the InSciEd Out team so that I was able to have a hands on experience with
zebra fish, making a hypothesis, testing it, among all of the different areas that are included in this. InSciEd

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Alexandria Kvenvold

Out actually showed me an insight of how math can also be incorporated into these science modules. I was
able to practice making graphs and even learning about what graph represents data best. I like the fact of
having STEM integrated within each other and even other subjects such as English and Art. I feel that this
is not only an effective method that I learn from, but that also our students can learn from it if they are
together. In the world outside of the classroom, things do not happen by subject. I think children should
gain the knowledge of being able to use multiple different subjects in many different areas. I have been
able to grow up with a lot of technology around me, so I am able to bring the knowledge I already have from
using phones, computers, and nooks to the classroom. I have also been able to have computer classes
that have focused on excel, word, and power point. I have been able to grow my knowledge in the
technology field as I have been introduced to SMARTboards and Ipads, where I have been able to work
with these products and use them in classrooms with the students. I think one of the biggest thing that I
bring to STEM Education is the fact that my knowledge in STEM is ever growing and I am learning new
things every day. Also, the fact that I have the desire to want to learn more to help my students in STEM.
Pedagogical Knowledge
I have learned a lot about knowing how much is the right amount of time to get things done
depending on the students within the classroom. I also learned that it will take time to teach things and they
will not fully understand it right away. For example, I learned that a child needs to simply hear a word seven
times before starting to full understand its meaning and how it is used in a sentence. Then it takes that child
over twenty times to say it to be able to remember it and use it correctly. I also know that by asking the right
questions I can help children be able to open their mind to learning on their own. Questioning for thinking is
a great concept to be able to know how to do well so that it can benefit the child, without giving them the
answer. I was able to learn how to effectively write lesson plans ad teach fro lesson plans that use the I do,
We do, You do method with targeted instruction to 2 nd grade students who were working on coin counting. I

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Alexandria Kvenvold

was also able to learn about and write my own STEM lesson plans using the 5E Lesson plans or the
Madelin Hunter Lesson Plan.
Role of Teacher
My roles as a teacher, while supporting optimal learning, will be to take each child that is in my
classroom into account for each lesson. I will make sure that I will be the teacher that children can look up
to as a role model and learn from. I want to make a difference in their lives and help them grow as learns as
much as possible. I feel that as the classroom teacher I will have to effectively write and teacher lesson
plans that meet the Minnesota state education benchmarks while also engaging with my students. To
support the optimal learning I will need to have a classroom that has set rules and good classroom
management that makes for a safe environment that helps the children feel safe and learn better. As the
teacher, I also feel that I need to make sure that I am flexible in my plans so that the students can have
their own wonderful ideas and ah-ha moments in their discoveries. I want to also be willing to learn from
my children as well as to teach them the best of my ability to watch them grow over the year.
Developmental Theories
The developmental theories that support my philosophy are behaviorism, constructivism, and
social constructivism. I really want my teaching and classroom to have all three developmental theories
combined in it. I want to be able to use all three to make the best for my students so that they learn the best
way possible and be able to use how each of these theories work. Behaviorism supports my philosophy
because I believe that humans do tend to learn some things based on their behavior along with any sort of
reinforcement that is helped to teach these things. Also in Behaviorism it was stated by some theorists that
by having those rule set and a classroom management in place that a child will be able to achieve
Maslows second need of being safe and having security. Constructivism supports my philosophy because

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Alexandria Kvenvold

it is child-centered and proposes to focus on constructing knowledge from experiences and to learn from
that. Social Constructivism is based on how the students learn from cultures or social environments. I will
make sure that in my lessons I will include small and large group interactions, discussions, experiments,
and hands-on experiences. These will be lead by myself or other adults while the students will also be able
to explore and debate ideas with other students in the classroom. They will be able to develop skills of
working with others and bringing knowledge to other students.
Additional Preparation
To better prepare myself for this work, the following skills will be essential for me to master:

Time Management
Organization
The want to become more knowledgeable
Creativeness
Presentation skills
Feel comfortable teaching math skills
Conclusion Paragraph

I think it is good to be able to write down on paper what it is you know, what you have learned
along the way, and what are some things you can work on. This gives you a good base on trying to make
yourself better over the future. Then you can really be able to look back to see if you were able better
yourself over a certain amount of time.