My “Why”
CALL TO TEACHING…
This is a picture of me and my Fourth Grade teacher, Ms. Fernandez (now Mrs. Roman, we are still in touch!). She is teaching me how to make empanadas, and sharing stories of when she was a little girl learning to make these with her grandma who came from Cuba.
This was a VERY challenging year for me, and she did everything she could to help build me up. Ms. Fernandez went above and beyond for her students, and still does to this day. That is the the type of teacher I hope to be… I want to leave lasting, positive impacts, just like she did for me.
I focus on meeting the needs of each student where they are at and creating an equitable learning experience. I want each student to feel represented and valued in my classroom. My classroom is a safe space for where all students feel respected and honored.
THEORISTS THAT HAVE INSPIRE MY TEACHING
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MASLOW.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs has heavily impacted the way I approach teaching. The theory says that certain basic needs must be met before an individual has motivation to do more complex tasks. In example, we can’t expect a child to solve a difficult math problem if they do not feel safe in the class environment.
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Vygotsky.
Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) is another theory that drives my instruction and teaching style. The Zone of Proximal Development is defined as the space between what a learner can do without assistance and what a learner can do with adult guidance or in collaboration with more capable peers.
