Shannon Moore

Philosophy of Education

To be a teacher means more than just teaching students the lesson or subject of the day, it means inspiring children to overcome obstacles they have once felt were too difficult and allowing them to delight in the accomplishment of triumphing over those obstacles. 

Since I was young, I have admired the teachers who have taught me.  They always made learning an adventure; I could never get enough. Through their guidance, I have become a strong and independent lifelong learner, something I deeply yearn to pass on to my students by instilling in them the importance of education and inspiring them to have the same passion for learning that I have.  I believe that children learn to think and do for themselves from a strong leader.  Although this takes time and effort for the educator, the end product is nothing short of a beautiful miracle.  I believe that every child can learn and that every child has the inalienable human right to be educated.  Each interaction with a child should be meaningful and organized in a way that best suits their individual needs.  Some children will take longer to grasp certain concepts, but it is my in-depth knowledge of different learning styles and interventions coupled with my commitment to each student that has helped many of them to understand and implement new concepts. 

The joy that I feel when one of my students grasps one of those new concepts is something that I look forward to every day, and is unmatched. This joy is what makes my job the most rewarding job on the planet.  Along with knowledge of the subject matter one teaches, I feel that every teacher needs to genuinely care for each of their students.  Though a student’s past educational experience and home life can and most likely will affect their performance in school, a teacher must look at each student as a clean slate, ready to absorb everything.  I put a great deal of emphasis on having an open and honest relationship with each student’s family to facilitate the best possible academic experience, at home as well as school. 

When I first became a teacher, I wanted to focus on easing into the classroom and my new career, so I took the time to overcome each new obstacle and take in every piece of guidance and advice from the veteran teachers and mentors.  After feeling comfortable and happy in my new and beloved profession, I decided it was time to go back to school for my Masters in Reading Education, a decision I have found to be rewarding and beneficial for both me and my students. For education is, after all, a constant, unending road and journey; never a mere destination.