About Miss Henry
Teaching Philosophy
I believe strongly in the nurture aspect of the nature versus nurture debate, which fuels my teaching philosophy. It is important to be aware of children’s natural development into phases. However, I find the nurturing aspect to be more influential toward the child and the reason I strongly believe in educating children, our future. It is the job of a teacher to guide and facilitate children to new understandings and developments in their zone of proximal development to achieve their full potential.
In order to facilitate this type of environment, I keep in mind differentiated student-centered inquiry learning with ongoing assessment. As the student is the center of teaching, it is important to keep their interest in learning to develop a life long learner. Interest in content can be done through making the tasks relevant, providing choices, and developing tasks around the interests of the students. Not all students will be learning at the same pace and that is why it is important to differentiate instruction. Objectives in a lesson do not need to be changed to accommodate different learning styles, but the way the objectives are met can be adjusted. In order to make sure all students’ learning needs are being met I believe in maintaining ongoing assessment before, during, and after lessons. Ultimately, ongoing assessment along with appropriate adjustments in lessons or the curriculum will ensure the success of the students.
As a teacher building life long learners, it is important for me to remember that my teachers taught me to be a life long learner, as well, by learning from my experiences, especially my mistakes, and reflecting. Through reflection I am more capable of producing a student-centered, inquiry based, nurturing environment for all my students.
Why Teach?
My passion for education has been seeded in my heart for many years, leading to the characteristics that make me a gifted teacher. The passion I have for education has lead into every facet of my life from my family, job, and schooling. Ever since I developed my passion in high school when I created a deep connection with two children with autism as a respite care worker, I have valued being a life long learner and creating personal connections with people.
I have always valued the personal aspect that education offers me as I have and continue to be a studious pupil in and out of the classroom; however, the people I encounter from my family, friends, co-workers, colleagues, and students are of great importance and I enter into their story as I respect and care for the individual. I do not consider myself only a teacher in the classroom, but everywhere I go; therefore, my characteristics are universal in my life, including on-going learning, respect for all, initiative, perseverance, creativity, open-mindedness, and willingness.
Education empowers individuals and I have learned that there is always more to learn and education opens our minds to new worlds and new understandings. I have persevered through my own education as receiving my teaching certification was a momentous time in my life, as I have dreamed of it for over a decade. Knowing there is more than one way to accomplish a task though, I have positioned myself in numerous tasks in order to achieve my goal, finding any opportunity that aligned with my dream of educating and nurturing the future or those in need. I have given a year of volunteer work as a middle school teacher for underprivileged inner city girls, participated in mission trips nationally and internationally, as well as, being employed as a respite care worker, life skills trainer, and nanny. Any opportunity that came my way, I grabbed hold of and let it take me in a direction of further understanding and empowerment, for not only me but for the individuals I was serving.
I have found that my personal encounters with life have guided me in my strength when working with others from any age range and any challenge. I look at each individual and find his or her strengths and work from there, as growth is the direction I am looking for. “Cannot” has not been in my vocabulary for attending to my dreams or the dreams of others. There is always a way and finding that way may take extra courage, perseverance, and initiative, but as I take on the role of a teacher, I find that it is not only my responsibility but also my gift for others.
Where I am from..
I grew up in the Watkins Glen area, then left to Buffalo, NY for my undergraduate education (Canisius College), year of service (Catholic Charities), and graduate education (Buffalo State College). I am glad to be back home where I am closer to my family.
I believe strongly in the nurture aspect of the nature versus nurture debate, which fuels my teaching philosophy. It is important to be aware of children’s natural development into phases. However, I find the nurturing aspect to be more influential toward the child and the reason I strongly believe in educating children, our future. It is the job of a teacher to guide and facilitate children to new understandings and developments in their zone of proximal development to achieve their full potential.
In order to facilitate this type of environment, I keep in mind differentiated student-centered inquiry learning with ongoing assessment. As the student is the center of teaching, it is important to keep their interest in learning to develop a life long learner. Interest in content can be done through making the tasks relevant, providing choices, and developing tasks around the interests of the students. Not all students will be learning at the same pace and that is why it is important to differentiate instruction. Objectives in a lesson do not need to be changed to accommodate different learning styles, but the way the objectives are met can be adjusted. In order to make sure all students’ learning needs are being met I believe in maintaining ongoing assessment before, during, and after lessons. Ultimately, ongoing assessment along with appropriate adjustments in lessons or the curriculum will ensure the success of the students.
As a teacher building life long learners, it is important for me to remember that my teachers taught me to be a life long learner, as well, by learning from my experiences, especially my mistakes, and reflecting. Through reflection I am more capable of producing a student-centered, inquiry based, nurturing environment for all my students.
Why Teach?
My passion for education has been seeded in my heart for many years, leading to the characteristics that make me a gifted teacher. The passion I have for education has lead into every facet of my life from my family, job, and schooling. Ever since I developed my passion in high school when I created a deep connection with two children with autism as a respite care worker, I have valued being a life long learner and creating personal connections with people.
I have always valued the personal aspect that education offers me as I have and continue to be a studious pupil in and out of the classroom; however, the people I encounter from my family, friends, co-workers, colleagues, and students are of great importance and I enter into their story as I respect and care for the individual. I do not consider myself only a teacher in the classroom, but everywhere I go; therefore, my characteristics are universal in my life, including on-going learning, respect for all, initiative, perseverance, creativity, open-mindedness, and willingness.
Education empowers individuals and I have learned that there is always more to learn and education opens our minds to new worlds and new understandings. I have persevered through my own education as receiving my teaching certification was a momentous time in my life, as I have dreamed of it for over a decade. Knowing there is more than one way to accomplish a task though, I have positioned myself in numerous tasks in order to achieve my goal, finding any opportunity that aligned with my dream of educating and nurturing the future or those in need. I have given a year of volunteer work as a middle school teacher for underprivileged inner city girls, participated in mission trips nationally and internationally, as well as, being employed as a respite care worker, life skills trainer, and nanny. Any opportunity that came my way, I grabbed hold of and let it take me in a direction of further understanding and empowerment, for not only me but for the individuals I was serving.
I have found that my personal encounters with life have guided me in my strength when working with others from any age range and any challenge. I look at each individual and find his or her strengths and work from there, as growth is the direction I am looking for. “Cannot” has not been in my vocabulary for attending to my dreams or the dreams of others. There is always a way and finding that way may take extra courage, perseverance, and initiative, but as I take on the role of a teacher, I find that it is not only my responsibility but also my gift for others.
Where I am from..
I grew up in the Watkins Glen area, then left to Buffalo, NY for my undergraduate education (Canisius College), year of service (Catholic Charities), and graduate education (Buffalo State College). I am glad to be back home where I am closer to my family.