Dakota Mattson

001180273
September 22nd, 2016
Teaching Philosophy
I believe that the best teachers are those who place emphasis on the
students as well as the content. One who can incorporate the lives of students, their
interests and their perspectives, into lesson delivery is a teacher who can grab and
maintain the excitement and interest of the class. Culturally diverse classrooms
have become the norm in our society, and they are a gift. Incorporating these
cultures into the classroom creates a caring atmosphere, and empowers students as
they bring themselves to the environment. I also feel it is important to build strong
personal connections with the students that enter the classroom. The learning
process can flourish under circumstances of mutual respect. If students know that
you respect and appreciate them as individuals, they will provide a reciprocal
respect to you and there will be a more open and immersive learning environment
for everyone. A major contribution to the learning environment is created through
the diverse learners that form the class. Students with different abilities,
backgrounds, and learning styles will make every class unique. Because of this, it is
essential for a teacher to be adaptable. This expands among multiple outlets. First,
it is important to be adaptable with instruction, providing variety with instructional
strategies to appeal to all learners. It is also important for teachers to be adaptable
in regards to assessment, while maintaining integrity in regards to validity and
reliability. Allowing students to express their understanding through a variety of
modalities helps to keep them engage and may more accurately reflect their
learning.
I believe that learning occurs best when students have formed a sense of
community and belonging in their environment. As teachers, it is our responsibility
to facilitate relationships with students and between students. A respectable
learning environment opens the door to collaboration and discussion of varying
viewpoints. I view discussion as an extremely beneficial tool in the classroom that
allows students to take control of their own learning and effect their learning
trajectories. I also believe that students are a valuable asset to be used within the
classroom. They have the ability to contribute content, knowledge, and experience
from their lives, and tie it back to lecture material. As students feel comfortable in
their environment, they become more confident, and will contribute to the learning
of the class in more intricate and meaningful ways. As a teacher, I believe it is
essential to maintain a mindset in which you are open and willing to learn from the
experiences and knowledge your students bring to the classroom. Though
technically they are there to learn from us, they present us with an equally great
learning experience, whether they realize this potential or not. It is important to
allow for divergence from lesson plans. Sometimes the greatest learning
opportunities are fostered through unanticipated discussion and questions. By
embracing these moments, students will contribute to lessons in a meaningful way
and likely enhance the learning of themselves and their peers.
I believe that a teacher is an individual who inspires others to grow, evolve,
and challenge themselves. In turn, they hold themselves to those same standards of
self-improvement. To be a successful teacher, one must continually grow based on
experiences. As the education profession continues to adapt and change over the

Dakota Mattson
001180273
September 22nd, 2016
years, it is up to the teachers to interpret the research, employ the strategies, and
analyze whether or not they are suitable for a specific context. Teachers should not
fear failure. Instead, we should embrace the inevitable, and use our own mistakes or
shortcomings as a means to improve our understanding and our competencies as
educators. I believe it is also important to instill this idea in the minds of students.
Failure is a powerful tool, not something to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. It
provides a valuable opportunity for reflection and a framework for personal
improvement as we learn and grown as individuals.
I place great value on knowledge. Being able to articulate complex ideas with
confidence and understanding is a trait I value immensely in regards to the teaching
profession. I also value the push for continued learning in the field of education.
Novel research and emerging perspectives provide reason to enhance
understanding and evolve as a professional. As an educator, I hope to inspire a
similar hunger for information in the students I teach. I hope that my passion for
knowledge and course content, as well as my excitement regarding subject matter,
be contagious to those who enter my classroom. I want to encourage discovery and
exploration beyond the concepts discussed in class. I believe it is my responsibility
as an educator to provide students with the skills necessary to facilitate their own
learning beyond the classroom.