My aspirations as a teacher are to provide meaningful and transformational learning, as well as promote critical thinking. For my students, I believe it is my job to encourage lifelong learning within them. I hope to ignite student’s curiosity and creativity though hands-on activities and classroom discussions. While having these discussions, I want them to know and feel that no question is too silly to ask, and I want them to be encouraged to ask these questions as it is an important aspect to get them thinking and exploring academic content. 

            Group work, interactive lectures, and learning/reading circles are instructional approaches I plan to use in my teaching. These activities allow me to regularly assess students’ comfort and engagement with core concepts and prepare them for mastery of the material. When assessing students, I feel it is important to not only test them with traditional tests and quizzes but to also utilize projects and presentations. As for the grading, I believe in a norm referenced approach. Using this style of grading will allow students to see where they fall with the rest of the class rather than following a preset expectation score. With tests and quizzes, I believe that students should be given as many opportunities as needed to pass them. Students should not be handed a failing grade and be told that they did not understand the material. The purpose of allowing retakes is to encourage growth in a child’s learning and give them the needed time until they are able to master the material.  They should also be graded on their critical thinking, effort, curiosity, and creativity with the implementation of projects and presentations. I would like to lead by example and by doing so, I will always work my hardest to improve my own critical thinking skills, putting in my upmost effort, and presenting curiosity and creativity into lessons. 

            Creating a brave space for all students is the absolute most important thing to me as a teacher. Having a just, equitable, and inclusive classroom will allow for students to feel comfortable day in and day out coming to school and participating in activities. I want students to feel like they can approach me whenever they are having a problem whether it be with school work or in their home life. Having a positive relationship with my students will allow for a positive, nurturing school experience. I will foster diversity in the classroom by having representations of students with different backgrounds be included in literature, culture assignments, and in history lessons. Elementary age is when children’s ideas and beliefs about themselves are shaped the most. I want to provide children with the thought they are capable to be and do anything they set their minds to and to never give up. Treat everyone with respect and eliminate the stereotypes that have been prevalent for decades.