Mrs. DiStefano's Educational Philosophy
As I’ve grown professionally throughout my career, teaching in a variety of grade levels, I have come to realize that early childhood is where my passion lies. A propensity to wonder and be curious, a true desire to gather ideas, share thinking, and gain new knowledge, and a willingness to take risks are characteristics of many students in early childhood. These traits are a natural platform from which I strive to develop strong working relationships, supportive connections, and open and trustworthy communication with our youngest learners and their families. One of the most gratifying elements of teaching this age group is the countless life lessons that my students model for me each day, stretching my thinking, allowing me to question and wonder along with them, and reminding me to pause and enjoy the little moments that may become some of our strongest memories.
My goals as an educator are to nurture students’ curiosity and creativity as they become lifelong learners and to guide students as they develop into respectful, thoughtful individuals who practice kindness, acknowledge and appreciate differences, give back to the larger community, and truly care to better themselves and the lives of others. As a teacher, I lead by example, sharing my own interests and thirst for knowledge with my students. I model my determination to improve and succeed in my undertakings and share my enthusiasm for our curriculum content. Most importantly, I exercise mindfulness in my interactions with others. Additionally, I strive to build a classroom community that is supportive of the whole student through developmental, hands-on, authentic academic, social, and emotional learning experiences. This work begins with a commitment to sustaining a collaborative and reflective educational practice that is designed to support student achievement and community engagement and is fueled by high expectations for all learners, acknowledging a variety of learning styles, strengths, and challenges, across the curriculum. By meeting students where they are individually, and differentiating my instruction to match their personal needs through one-on-one support, RTI sessions, small group work, and partner collaboration, I provide my students with multiple access points from which to engage in the curriculum. With a data driven approach to examining student success and growth, I work to support each student’s unique path to success as a learner. Within the framework of a growth mindset, I partner with my students to develop their 21st century skills and empower them to become engaged global citizens.
My goals as an educator are to nurture students’ curiosity and creativity as they become lifelong learners and to guide students as they develop into respectful, thoughtful individuals who practice kindness, acknowledge and appreciate differences, give back to the larger community, and truly care to better themselves and the lives of others. As a teacher, I lead by example, sharing my own interests and thirst for knowledge with my students. I model my determination to improve and succeed in my undertakings and share my enthusiasm for our curriculum content. Most importantly, I exercise mindfulness in my interactions with others. Additionally, I strive to build a classroom community that is supportive of the whole student through developmental, hands-on, authentic academic, social, and emotional learning experiences. This work begins with a commitment to sustaining a collaborative and reflective educational practice that is designed to support student achievement and community engagement and is fueled by high expectations for all learners, acknowledging a variety of learning styles, strengths, and challenges, across the curriculum. By meeting students where they are individually, and differentiating my instruction to match their personal needs through one-on-one support, RTI sessions, small group work, and partner collaboration, I provide my students with multiple access points from which to engage in the curriculum. With a data driven approach to examining student success and growth, I work to support each student’s unique path to success as a learner. Within the framework of a growth mindset, I partner with my students to develop their 21st century skills and empower them to become engaged global citizens.