Teaching Philosophy

Alexa Armentano

    In introducing myself, I should start by stating that I am passionate about teaching and supporting all students throughout their learning experiences.  I attended Hofstra University to earn degrees in Early Childhood Education, Childhood Education, and Psychology.  Recently, I have been attending Touro University Graduate School of Education in the TESOL program and will have achieved a Master of Arts degree before this year ends.  I have been teaching elementary aged students for almost 10 years and feel fulfilled working in such a rewarding career.  My philosophy of education is that all students are unique and must have a stimulating educational environment that meets their individual needs.  My commitment to providing an inclusive and equitable education for all students is my priority.  I am dedicated to creating a learning environment where every student feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, particularly multilingual learners who bring rich and diverse perspectives to the classroom.

     I believe a multicultural education is a beneficial approach for all students, regardless of whether they are acquiring a new language or not.  A classroom should be a safe and caring environment where students are free to speak their minds and feel comfortable to grow.  Every student has individual needs, and it is the educators’ job to fulfill those needs.  I want to set my students up for success.  Valuing and respecting the linguistic and cultural backgrounds of multilingual learners is at the core of my teaching philosophy.  By fostering a positive learning environment that celebrates diversity, I encourage students to embrace their multilingualism and see it as an asset.  Providing an inclusive approach in the classroom builds students’ confidence and allows them to feel comfortable to take risks in the learning process.

    Multilingual learners face unique challenges that require differentiated and scaffolded support.  For me, it is clear that multilingual learners are motivated when they feel encouraged, and they can comprehend the instruction.  To help them comprehend, I strive to understand their individual challenges and provide additional support.  Understanding what is difficult for multilingual learners, and why certain things are more difficult, allows me to better adapt my lessons to fit their needs.  Using differentiation and multiple approaches is essential, as all students have different learning styles and different needs.

    My preferred instructional approach for teaching multilingual learners is the culturally responsive teaching approach.  Incorporating students’ cultures into instruction allows for the learning experience to be more engaging, effective, and accessible.  Scaffolding learning to ensure comprehension and promote language development across all subject areas is essential for a successful learning experience.  Showing students the process of learning and breaking down instruction into smaller steps is imperative for students to be successful learners and ensures they are receiving the support they need.

    I am committed to collaborating with colleagues, families and community members to support multilingual learners, because that is in the best interest of the student.  Creating support for students from all approaches is essential for student success.  Involving families in their child’s education is vital throughout the process.  Providing information to families about their child’s success, what goals they are working towards, what content they are learning, etc. creates a strong partnership between families and a teacher.  I believe it is extremely helpful to work with ESL specialists or bilingual educators to provide comprehensive support to multilingual learners.  Discussing student progress with other work professionals and understanding the guidance students might need will not only further support students but will also provide support to me as their educator.

    In my view, taking the time to assess multilingual learners’ language proficiency and content knowledge is imperative for creating a positive learning experience for students and setting them up to succeed.  I believe using culturally responsive teaching approaches that align with the students’ linguistic and cultural backgrounds will help achieve that goal.  I am committed to ensuring my students’ needs are being met and to continue improving my teaching approach to effectively meet the needs of my students.