Teaching Philosophy

I took this class to get a better perspective on both how to find and teach a more diverse set of literature for children. In that goal I am finding this class very successful. I enjoy learning about a variety of books each week as well as the discussions we have that open me to new ideas on how the books might come off to the kids in a class. This class is also really connecting to my professional and even student life, I'm in TE 301 right now and for my classroom placement time I am working with a very diverse group of students with whom many of their cultures I am not familiar with. Knowing a little bit better how to research and pick out books that can appeal to them has been a great help in developing a good relationship with the kids.

I think that in my future I would love to teach in a very diverse classroom , but no matter what I will be certain to include diverse learning even among a non diverse student population. Including all cultures and prospectives as much has possible will show students that there is almost always two sides to a story, and two points of view. it also teaches them to pay attention to the world around them because not everyone sees through the same eyes. Wanting to teach younger children literature will play a big part for me because in the early grades literacy is a strong focus. Bringing in truly good diverse stories and books for the classes will help them experience worlds outside of their own. It will also foster a sense of comfort and inclusion for students who in may identify with a minority group, or who's beliefs, family, or history are different from the other kids.

Something that I am finding still very challenging about this is just how daunting the task of diversifying a curriculum and even just a classroom library really is. The task of trying to create balance, truthfulness and equality amongst just the books is hard. I know some diverse literature representing certain groups will be easier than others, some just have more books out there to find. Trying to introduce kids to some of the unfamiliar topics might be difficult to them if its nothing that has come up in their home environment or past classes. I also am very aware that in some places or at times I might encounter parent or fellow staff members who do not agree with my philosophies or who do not wish me to teach the things I think are vital to the students experiences.