Educational Philosophy Statement

I wrote this in 2012, for my first grad course, so it might read a little "public school-y" but all the thoughts I had then are true now. It'll give you, my lovely readers, some insight into how my mind works with regards to education and children.

      I believe that every child has the potential to be amazing and contribute to society in a positive way. Every child is unique and special and as such every teacher needs to have the ability to adapt and modify their plans, actions, and intentions to reach each student. As an educator I believe that if students aren't allowed to explore and learn in their own way we are hindering their growth both intellectually and physically. While I believe that children should be expected to follow a curriculum and attend school, in a variety of forms, I also think that children need choice.
In my classroom students will have the freedom to choose from a variety of assessment options, I believe that by giving students a voice and a choice they will be more engaged in their learning. More assessment is not always the best option, as an educator I will provide more feedback and less formal assessment. Having students sitting down to take a test or write a 10 page paper will not be useful to them in the real world. I will have students work on group projects, engage with each other, and present their findings.
Another area of student growth that is important to me is that they have a sense of accomplishment and self-respect. I believe that I can help my students to reach these positive senses of self by being encouraging, not demeaning, informing, not repeating, and by allowing them to contribute, not keeping them quiet. Children are small, but they are not inept. As an educator I hope to remember involvement means learning.
I firmly believe that if I, as an educator, can instill the joy of learning into my students they will want to learn.  If I give them praise they will have high self-esteem. The greatest joy for me would be to see my students when they are adults and have them tell me that just one day in my classroom inspired them to do better, to be more. It is my opinion that if I as a teacher expect greatness, and provide the means to achieve that greatness, my students will be great. There can be no room for me to have a failing day because those are the moments my students will remember, those are the days that will stick with them.
As an educator I will put my student’s needs ahead of mine. I will ask them to dream and I will do everything in my power to help them achieve that dream. I will take time to reflect upon my teaching practices and I will change them if they aren't working for my students. Every child is an individual and I will treat them as such.



Just some...

Business is Good?

So, I know... It's been a while. I've been...well, not busy, but certainly contemplating being busy. Alright, I've been a little busy.

Let's see... In October of last year I started substitute teaching. Going against all I believe in to get some "experience". I did get some experience, but mostly subbing just reminded me how much I want to home-school!

Seriously, you might read previous entries here and think, "This girl doesn't want to home-school" but I do. I started this blog as part of a class in my Masters of Education program and when the class ended I kind of forgot about it. I had to log in to a whole different email address, access blogger, write, sign out of that email address.... #firstworldproblems, I know.

Anywho, here I am, back to blogging about cool things and thoughts (I think they are cool anyway) about education. Mostly though, I'm here to promote my new venture. I'm starting a business about educating. I want to help parents and kids learn what strategies will work for them, in a home-school setting. I really want to make kids find something they love about learning. Mainly because, you know, I love learning.

^^^ I love these things too, word clouds are great.

So here's the gist of it.

Me in a nutshell.

• I'm 30.
• I'm a girl.
• I'm not yet a mom but am in line for a foster kid/adoption.
• I'm barely subbing so I'm free when you need me.
• I've got a Bachelors of Arts in American Civilization (American history and literature combined)
• I'm about halfway through my Masters program which will result in my obtaining a Masters of Education in Educational Studies.
• I am NOT state certified, or licensed, or common core proficient. I won't ever be those things, I don't agree with them.
• I am in LOVE with learning.
• I want to help other people love learning.
• I charge money. Sorry, but I need to make a living too. Don't worry, since I'm new here, it's low. Just $12.00 an hour. You might only need me for an hour. And I'm generous, so we can negotiate. It's more important that your little learner is engaged than that I get paid millions of dollars.
• I would say that I'm best at pre-k through 6th or 7th grade.
• I'm not so good at math, but I can give you ways to enjoy teaching it (or your kids learning it).
• I'm NOT a teacher. I'm more like a tutor, or in more professional terms, an Educational Consultant.

If you think you and I could get along, and that I could help you (or a friend) please please pass this blog on, or find me on facebook under the name Samantha Leane Educational Consultant. I'm a group :-)