My Teaching Philosophy= &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = Richard Cones
&nbs= p; My own personal teaching philosophy can be expressed with the acronym L.E.A.R.= N., L=3DLove, E=3DEncourage, A=3DAppreciate, R=3DRespect, and N=3DNurture. The value of loving each and every student, of encouraging them to achieve their dreams, of appreciating their= own unique talents, of respecting them as worthy individuals, and of nurturing = them as one might a child, can not be emphasized enough. By treating students in this way, = we win their dedication and devotion. It is only on a foundation of mutual respect and understanding that teachers a= nd students can recognize their full potential.
&nbs= p; Though my own personal teaching philosophy has developed partially from classroom teaching, events throughout my life have helped to shape and determine it.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Having grown up in a family with e= ight children, I became aware at an early age that children respond best in a positive, loving environment, and that they work hardest to win their paren= ts’ approval when they feel approved of and appreciated themselves.
&nbs= p; After high school, I joined the Marines, and experience which additionally has affected my teaching philosophy. While serving my country, I reaffirmed this notion about the benefit= s of mutual respect. I realized th= at a good leader is judged as much by his/her accomplishments and merits as by h= ow he/she treats his/her subordinates. And whether or not he/she has the respe= ct of those they command.
&nbs= p; By the time I was 30, I had five children and a large family of my own to support. In raising a family,= I treated each child with unconditional love and respect; I encouraged them to chase their dreams. I appreci= ated the talents they had to offer and I nurtured them, so that they would know = how much they meant to me. The re= sults speak for themselves. Today I= am the proud father of five college graduates, an even more importantly of five loving and good-natured human beings.
&nbs= p; A final learning experience which has had a profound affect on my teaching ph= ilosophy is the time I spent as a small business owner. Running a business, I developed a thorough understanding of how a business operates most effectively, and of = the skills necessary for motivating a group of people to perform.
&nbs= p; Too often today, especially in public schools, where classes are stuffed full a= nd resources stretched thin, children tend to be lumped together and treated without much differentiation. Students who perform well win approval from teachers, while underperforming students are relegated to back rows and corners. Experience teaches me, however, an= d my philosophy reflects, that teachers treat all students with love and respect, that we encourage them, we appreciate them and nourish them so that in the = end, teacher, student, parent, and society as a while might benefit from public education.