Because I strongly believe that students learn best by discovering, making connections, and making sense, I try to plan lessons that are student-centered and promote an atmosphere of exploration and questioning. Though the students sometimes experience frustration in their explorations, I believe that this teaches them to be persistent and think creatively to solve problems.
I also work consistently to foster a classroom environment that allows for productive dialogue about mathematics, as I believe that exposure to different ideas and different ways of thinking, as well as having to explain and defend our ideas, help us to refine our own thinking. As the teacher, I am especially aware of how important my questioning and handling of students’ questions is to this type of environment.
My philosophy of mathematics education is one that I know will continue
to evolve as I gain experience and knowledge, but will always be
centered on helping students to engage in mathematical thinking and
problem-solving in order to build their own knowledge.
Please click on the link below to download the full version of my teaching philosophy.
