Figuring out what my beliefs are as a teacher has been extremely difficult.  I have so many ideas and opinions for what I want my classroom to feel like, but I realize as I begin my teaching career it will all change.  Even though a lot of things will change, I have a few beliefs that will stay as I grow as a teacher.

First, I believe that as an educator I need to create a safe space for my students.  I want them to be able to leave their worries at the door, and walk in to my classroom ready to learn.  This will begin from day one.  I want the students to be able to walk in and feel that this environment is their own and they created a part of it.  A way that I want to do that is to create a classroom culture board.  I want each of my students to bring in a piece of themselves--whether it be a family picture, an object of their culture, etc.--and put it up on a board.  It will be our classroom family board.  Everyone will be included, and it will bring our class together as a whole, instead of a group of 20+ different people working in the same room.  I created this idea from my practicum students.  I am working in a school where their school song includes a line: "we come from different countries, and cultures, but we are all the same."  I want that instilled constantly within my classroom.

Second, I want to create an environment that is susceptible to learning.  Like Debby Miller, I love the idea of creating an environment that leads to independent learning.  Also, I want my students to be involved in creating this environment.  I want them to tell me what they think is important for their learning, and to have a sense of ownership in the classroom environment.  Along with that, I want to provide my students with the tools they need and require to learn "on their own".  For instance, I want books everywhere.  I want students to realize that reading is everywhere, and it is very important to the learning process.  I want another teacher to walk into my classroom, look around, and not know where the teacher is.

I know that these beliefs take some time, and will not happen right away.  I realize it will take a lot of work to create a classroom that will open up to communicating these opinions, and I know I will not get it right the first time I try.  But in the end, I know I tried.  I will know that I have done something to make my students learning environment a better place, and hopefully as I grow so will my classroom and my beliefs.