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Click on the link to find out more information on how you can incorporate these resources into your classroom:

Digital Resources for Educators

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Cognitivist Theory (Jean Piaget): Piaget's theory focuses on how learners actively construct knowledge through experiences. For language acquisition, this suggests that students learn by interacting with their environment and internalizing information. Teachers can use this theory by providing hands-on activities and problem-solving tasks that allow ELLs to connect language learning with their own experiences.

Krashen’s Input Hypothesis: Krashen’s theory posits that language learners acquire language most effectively when they are exposed to "comprehensible input" that is just above their current level of understanding (often referred to as “i+1”). Teachers can implement this theory by ensuring that language input is slightly challenging but still understandable, providing rich context, visual aids, and support to make the language accessible.

How to write your own teaching philosophy in 2025:

1. Reflect on Your Beliefs About Teaching and Learning

Consider the influences on your philosophy, such as your own experiences as a student, your personal values, and any relevant research or theories you’ve studied.

2. Identify Your Teaching Goals

Think about what you want to achieve with your students. These goals might include:

Your goals should align with your values and beliefs about teaching and learning.

3. Describe Your Teaching Methods and Strategies

This could involve methods like collaborative learning, hands-on activities, using technology, or integrating culturally responsive teaching practices.

4. Address the Role of Assessment

Reflect on how assessments support both the learning process and your students' growth.

5. Discuss Classroom Environment and Relationships

Think about the kind of classroom environment you strive to create.

A strong teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment.

6. Highlight Your Professional Development

You might mention attending workshops, engaging with peers, or pursuing further education as part of your ongoing professional growth.

Click on this link to view my personal teaching philosophy:

Teaching Philosophy, 2025

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Keep a Teaching Journal

Strategy: Regularly write about your teaching experiences, challenges, and successes.

How it helps: Writing reflections after lessons or at the end of each week allows you to analyze what worked well and what didn’t.

Seek Peer Feedback

Strategy: Collaborate with colleagues or mentors for constructive feedback.

How it helps: Asking for feedback from peers or mentors gives you an outside perspective on your teaching.

3. Set Specific, Measurable Goals

Strategy: Identify areas for improvement and set clear, achievable goals for yourself.

How it helps: Self-reflection is most effective when it’s tied to specific objectives. By setting goals for your professional growth, such as improving classroom management or differentiating instruction for ELLs, you create a roadmap for your development.

4. Use Student Feedback

Strategy: Regularly collect and reflect on student feedback through surveys or informal discussions.

How it helps: Students' perspectives can provide valuable insights into how your teaching impacts their learning.

5. Engage in Professional Development

Strategy: Participate in workshops, courses, or educational conferences to expand your knowledge.

How it helps: Ongoing professional development exposes you to new research, teaching methods, and best practices. Engaging with professional learning communities or attending training sessions helps you stay current in your field and provides opportunities to reflect on how new ideas can be applied to your own teaching.

Click on the link to see my cultural response handout for educators:

Supporting Our ELL Students: A Cultural Guide for Educators

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Information / Education Flyer in Green Blue Friendly Professional Style

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Extended Time

Use of a Dictionary or Google Translate

Simplified Instructions or Test Items

Oral Responses

Use of Visual Aids and Graphic Organizers

WIDA Language Supports

Click on the link for detailed descriptions of how these accommodations help support ELL students during assessments:

Details on ELL Assessment Accommodations

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1. Online Courses and Certifications

Enroll in specialized online courses and certifications that focus on effective strategies for teaching English Language Learners. For instance, Coursera offers courses like "Teaching English as a Second Language", which covers essential topics such as language acquisition theories and culturally responsive teaching. TESOL International Association provides certifications like the TESOL Core Certificate Program, which equips educators with practical tools for English language instruction. These programs give educators the flexibility to learn at their own pace while gaining practical, research-based strategies for supporting diverse learners.

2. Professional Development Workshops

Attend workshops that focus on high-impact, evidence-based practices for teaching ELLs. For example, WIDA (World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment) offers professional development workshops that focus on supporting ELLs using the WIDA English Language Development standards, while other organizations like TESOL host workshops specifically addressing differentiation, scaffolding, and formative assessment for language learners. Workshops often involve hands-on activities, role-playing, and case studies to help teachers better understand the application of strategies such as sheltered instruction and scaffolding language support in content areas like math or science. By attending these workshops, educators can build a toolkit of practical strategies and gain the opportunity to network with peers and experts in the field.

3. Join a Professional Learning Community (PLC)

Become a member of a Professional Learning Community (PLC) that focuses on ELL education, such as the WIDA Educator Collaborative or a local TESOL PLC. These communities provide a dedicated space for educators to share resources, discuss challenges, and collaborate on the implementation of best practices for ELLs. Within a PLC, you might engage in activities like co-planning lessons, conducting peer observations, and discussing current research in language acquisition. Additionally, PLCs often hold monthly or quarterly meetings where educators can explore topics like bilingual education, culturally relevant pedagogy, and integrating technology for language development. Through active participation, educators can gain ongoing professional support, deepen their expertise, and keep abreast of the latest trends in ELL education.