Nelyda Rodriguez
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My Learning
Philosophy
My superpower is being a teacher.
Life is a journey with a purpose. Every step we take, every decision we make, has a reason behind it In my case, I always wanted to be a lawyer. It was my passion to be able to defend others legally, and when my dream came true, I finished my degree in Law and began to carry out my career. I realized that there were many injustices and I couldn't help others, and so started my disappointment that I stopped working in my career. I desperately needed a change, but I never imagined working as a preschool teacher. I discovered a passion for teaching. The more I learned about this noble profession, the more I enjoyed working. With my students, teaching these angels brings many rewards. When you work with people and make a positive contribution to society, you can see your own personal greatness reflected in others. It is a powerful feeling to be able to help others.
In his article on Philosophy of Educational Development (2023), Dr. Harapunik emphasizes the importance of starting with a WHY. By asking ourselves this question, we activate our intrinsic motivation and become more capable of achieving our objectives, even in challenging situations. Dr. Harapunik also explains that without a clear sense of purpose, we lack clarity on HOW we will achieve our goals in our work area. This idea makes a lot of sense because everything starts with something. I strongly believe that education should be student centered, with them being the main character in their learning journey. Teachers, family, and the school community would serve as supporting characters. My primary WHY lies in serving my students helping them acquire knowledge that they can use to better their lives in the future. Seeing my students learn and grow fills me with purpose and love for my job. Being able to assist others in their learning journey makes me proud of myself and fuels my desire to continue learning and helping others, let your passion and dedication fuel your love for learning, and watch as your impressive achievements soar.
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Following up on the "how" to achieve my objectives, one of my beliefs in education is the development of safe learning environments, both for students and teachers. I would like to share with you a link to my latest work on a "New Learning Culture”, in which I explain the importance of learning environments and their role in achieving educational objectives. In this article, I mention that a happy learning place does exist, meaning that we can create a safe and conducive environment for both students and teachers to thrive in.
As teachers, we must continuously learn and update ourselves with modern educational practices to provide a better service in the classroom and understand our students needs. We are in a constant learning process, and this is crucial to achieve significant learning.
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The next point of my philosophy lies in, My belief about the importance of knowing what I am going to do in order to achieve my objectives. By being clear about my goals, I can go to the classroom every day with the confidence that I am committed to achieving significant learning outcomes that prioritize the needs of my students. I firmly believe that education must be student centered, and to achieve this, it's necessary to have a clear plan of action that outlines how and what we will do to reach our goals.
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In the article "Developing Students' Learning Philosophies" (2015), the author discusses the importance of understanding why, how, and what we do in the classroom and how these various factors impact our professional development. I found the questions that encourage critical thinking about our own feelings and experiences to be particularly insightful. By reflecting on our actions in the classroom, we can improve our teaching methods and ensure that our practice is always evolving.
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​In summary, about my Philosophy in general, I believe that student-centered learning should be the ultimate goal of every educator. By being clear about our objectives and reflecting on our practice, we can ensure that we are always moving in the right direction.
Harapnuik, D. (2023). It's About Learning.
Teaching Learning
(Main, 2022)"Teaching strategies are the techniques and methods that a teacher applies to support student learning. A teacher selects the teaching strategy most suited to the current level of knowledge of the students, the concept being studied, and the stage in the learning journey of the students."
To wrap up this first phase of my Philosophy, I would like to emphasize the true meaning of learning and teaching. As Paul Main's quote states, teachers use teaching strategies to encourage learning in their students. I believe that one cannot exist without the other and this applies to teachers as well. We must also be prepared to teach effectively. In conclusion, everything is interconnected like a perfect gear that should work flawlessly.
How does my belifs to learning affect my innovation plan?​
In order to better explain my beliefs about student-centered learning, I will relate it to my research and my innovation plan, which aims to develop skills in prekindergarten children through Blended Learning. My plan aligns with my beliefs, which can be summed up simply: by using technology as a means of learning, we can meet the needs of 21st-century students. The children of today require a learning experience that involves technology and we must make the most of this in the classroom to generate meaningful learning. That's where my plan comes in it focuses on using technology to enhance student learning. I have always kept in mind a quote from Dr. Harapunik that says "It's about learning". This means that although technology plays an important role in meeting the needs of our students, our research is ultimately centered on learning itself. Everything we do is aligned towards a common good promoting effective learning for our students.
Click here to visit my innovation plan
My beliefs and the theory of constructivism
As an educator working with children aged 4 and 5, I find that constructivism theory aligns with my teaching philosophy. This theory emphasizes the importance of putting the student at the center of learning, which is fundamental to my beliefs. It is essential to understand the level of learning and expectations of children of this age to better cater to their needs. Although they are young, they come with pre-existing knowledge acquired from various sources, such as daycare or home education by guardians or parents. Our role as educators is to activate this previous knowledge and foster new and valuable learning experiences. By capturing their attention and encouraging active participation, we become spectators of their achievements and guide them toward reaching their full potential. It is crucial to remember that the child is the protagonist in their learning environment, and we must support them in their journey.
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In the book "Tools of the Mind: The Vygotskian Approach to Early Childhood Education" by Bodrova & Leong (2007), Vygotsky's theory is discussed, which comprises four important parts. Firstly, the theory states that the child constructs their own knowledge. Secondly, development cannot be separated from the social context. Thirdly, learning can lead to development. Finally, language plays a fundamental role in the development of knowledge. We can observe the reflection of these principles in our classroom every day.
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The text discusses mental processes and their development in children, as well as the acquisition of tools and language as a universal tool for behavior development. It also delves into the concepts of metacognition and high and low mental processes and how they develop in children.
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Bodrova & Leong (2007) Explain an attractive section about the relationship between Vygotsky and Maria Montessori, who were contemporaries. Although Vygotsky was aware of Montessori's methods, both had different approaches to child development. Personally, I find the Montessori method fascinating, and many of its main approaches are applied in the development of pre-kindergarten children.
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The ZPD is a widely recognized concept from Vygotsky that relates to learning and development. The zone refers to the difference between the child's current level of development and his or her potential level, which can be achieved by solving problems with the help of an adult or more competent peers.
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All of this enriches Constructivism theory by integrating environments, society, and cognition in learning, which is why I identify with Vygotsky.
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Constructivism Classroom
Brooks and Brooks' book "In Search of Understanding: The Case of Constructivist Classrooms" (1993) outlines the characteristics of a Constructivist classroom. The following is a list describing what such a classroom should look like based on this method:
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Curriculum is presented whole to part with emphasis on big concepts. Students are viewed as thinkers with emerging theories about the world.
Pursuit of student questions is highly valued.Students primarily work in groups.
Curricular activities rely heavily on primary sources of data and manipulative materials.
Teachers generally behave in an interactive manner, mediating the environment for students.
Teachers seek the students' points of view in order to understand students' present conceptions for use in subsequent lessons.
Assessment of student learning is interwoven with teaching and occurs through teacher observations of students at work and through students exhibitions and portfolios.
REFERENCES
Bodrova, E., & Leong, D. (2007). Tools of the Mind: The Vygotskian Approach to Early
Childhood Education. Pearson.
Harapnuik, D. (2023). Educational Development Philosophy. It's About Learning.
https://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=4639
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Jacqueline Grennon Brooks, & Brooks, M. G. (1993). In search of understanding : the
case for constructivist classrooms. Association For Supervision And Curriculum
Development.
Main, P. (2022). Teaching and Learning Strategies: a Classroom Guide.
Structural-Learning.
https://www.structural-learning.com/post/teaching-and-learning-strategies-a-classroom-guide
PhD, N. H. (2015, October 23). Developing Students’ Learning Philosophies. Faculty
Focus | Higher Ed Teaching & Learning.
Annotated Bibliography
Please take a moment to visit my annotated bibliography of the authors who have inspired me to create my learning philosophy. If you are still undecided about which theoretical model to base your teaching on, I highly recommend reviewing these authors. It is crucial to find suitable role models to guide us in our educational journey.
Tools of the Mind: The Vygotskian Approach to Early Childhood Education
Bodrova, E., & Leong, D. (2007). Tools of the Mind: The Vygotskian Approach to Early Childhood Education. Pearson.
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​The author aims to guide teachers in equipping their students with cognitive tools. The article also presents a constructivist approach to classroom instruction, primarily based on Vygotskian theory.
Harapnuik, D. (2023). It's About Learning. https://www.harapnuik.org/
If you are interested in student-centered learning, you may find Dr. Harapnuik's website especially helpful. Provides a wealth of information on this topic, including articles and videos related to 21st-century education. It's worth checking out if you're looking for interesting and modern resources.
In search of understanding: the case for constructivist classrooms
Jacqueline Grennon Brooks, & Brooks, M. G. (1993). In search of understanding: the case for constructivist classrooms. Association For Supervision And Curriculum Development.
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​In this book, you will find the basis of Constructivism and how you can initiate a classroom based on this theory. I am interested in the chapter of the book which explains what a Constructivist classroom should be like and the role of the teacher and students.
Structural-Learning
Main, P. (2022). Structural-Learning. https://www.structural-learning.com/
This website empowers educators to cultivate critical thinking skills in their students by providing them with the necessary resources and tools.
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Faculty Focus
PhD, N. H. (2015, October 23). Faculty Focus | Higher Ed Teaching & Learning. https://www.facultyfocus.com/
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Faculty Focus is a platform that is dedicated to instructors and teachers like you. They publish three articles every week, which are written by educational experts, instructional designers, and other professionals from around the globe. Their goal is to provide valuable insight into what is working and what is not working for in-person, online, and hybrid classrooms.