MY PERSONAL TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

We live in a time of unprecedented access to information, everywhere we turn. Modern technology gives students the ability to discover anything they are interested in at the touch of a button or voice command. I believe that the role of an educator and librarian is not only to educate using traditional books and materials but to teach the safe and responsible use of media and technology as research tools in gaining a broader and deeper understanding of the world around us and how it is functioning. Further, the most important component of librarianship is the central tenet that every person, regardless of age, has the right to access information in every form without fear of persecution or harassment. This also plays into the importance of ensuring both a diverse and an inclusive educational experience for our youth. For our youngest learners, my teaching philosophy revolves around Object-Based Inquiry and using technology to inform, experience, and create. I strive to teach my older students to develop understanding and empathy by considering how all aspects of our world come together and influence each other, to be responsible digital citizens when using online resources, and to ensure that those students know how to use critical thinking skills when using both print and digital materials as they continue their education.