Chelsea Tinney
Educator. Lifelong Learner. Spartan.
My Teaching Philosophy
Student Talk
I believe that all learners should be given an opportunity to learn in a safe, comfortable classroom environment. This type of classroom environment allows for student talk which I value tremendously. Student talk is important because learners can respectfully debate what they believe to be true and show growth in their learning as not only individuals but as a class. I also consider student talk to be important because learners have the opportunity to communicate their ideas and build upon them. Learners can do this through various methods such as developing models, planning and conducting an investigation, data analysis, use of claim, evidence, reasoning, etc.
I consider student talk to be a great representation of student learning. I know my learners are learning when they use their critical thinking skills to solve an issue that encompasses a real world issue or phenomenon. I ask that my learners show me these critical thinking skills through the use of argumentation, communication, investigation and evaluation. For learners to be successful, they must use evidence - a major staple in my classroom. Learners should use the information they acquire to explain their viewpoint, investigative plan, or analysis of the real world phenomenon.
Assessment, Inquiry & Differentiation
Learners can also demonstrate that they are learning by showing growth not only throughout a unit but throughout the year. This growth is not merely shown through test scores but through the development and use of evidence, student talk, participation and sense making of the material at hand. As a teacher, I believe it is my responsibility to take the State Standards and the related learning targets and organize them in a way that scaffolds student learning and allows my learners to show growth throughout a unit and throughout the school year. Using backward design for these standards, I can set short term unit goals for my learners as well as year-long goals I would like my learners to achieve. My goal is to optimize the opportunities my learners have to show their learning and growth. This can be done informally through a variety of formative assessments such as models, exit tickets, learning checks, or through summative assessments such as written tests, explanation of a real world phenomenon, models, flow charts, etc.
While I have high expectations for the level of learning of my students, I realize that not all of my learners learn the same way or at the same rate. Throughout my career as an educator, I will continuously work on the development of differentiated lessons that include all types of learning styles. I believe that it’s important to encourage and praise learners that take responsibility of their own learning and organize their ideas and critical thinking skills in a way unique to them. A great way to allow my learners to do this is through inquiry based learning. Learners are asked to think critically about a particular idea and to arrive at their own evidence-supported conclusions. I believe it’s important to encourage the individuality of learners and their thinking process through differentiated inquiry based lessons, activities, and assessments.
Using Feedback to Inform Instruction
After three years of experience working with various learners and educators, I believe the use of flexibility and feedback are key. I believe it is important that I adapt to the unique qualities of different learners, class periods, semesters, etc. I believe that being a successful teacher means that versatility and flexibility are a part of every day. Through the use of formative assessments, I can prioritize learners ideas, experiences, and alternative ideas and use this as a guide to provide the best education I can for my learners. As an educator, I will also continue to ask for learner feedback as to what helps them grow as learners. I will also continue to ask my colleagues for feedback regarding presentation of information, teaching techniques and classroom management skills. I believe being an educator is an ever-changing career and applying feedback will allow me to grow and become the best teacher I can be for my learners.