One of the reasons that I entered the field of education is because of the value I see in an education. An education can help improve the lives of students in innumerable ways. I believe that students should always be developing life skills as they learn academic content. It is vital that students learn basic skills, such as self-regulation and the ability to work with others, because they are relevant to everyone regardless of the path taken in life. It is my hope that all of my students will go on to have successful and fulfilling lives, so it is important to me that they grow as individuals and not just as science students. I want for my students to develop creativity and critical-thinking skills. In a world where information about almost anything is immediately available, these skills will continue to become more relevant.

It is important to me that the classroom environment is supportive for all students. Children spend a large portion of their time in school, so it is vital for their development that they have a sense of belonging. The classroom should be a safe and welcoming place because I want my students to feel comfortable taking risks. I believe that when students are willing to make mistakes, learning is more authentic and enjoyable. In order to develop this type of classroom environment, I need to develop a rapport with my students. Knowing their background and interests makes it easier to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of particular students.

In order to be an effective educator, I consider it necessary to be a life-long learner. There are always ways to improve as an educator but to do so requires conscious effort. Constantly reflecting on the efficacy of my teaching, I will be able to draw on resources, such as professional development and experienced colleagues, to make improvements to my practice. Ideas about effective teaching are always changing, so keeping up with current research will help me to grow as an educator.