My Educational Philosophy

-Steve Kellett

Students learn best when they are seeking answers to meaningful problems

Problematizing curriculum makes academic pursuits more engaging and real for middle school learners. Learners stop viewing school work as something that their teacher is making them do and instead they want to figure out how things work.

Students learn best when they are engaged in a

supportive community with common goals

The classroom should be a safe place that students take ownership of. Students working together can support each other’s learning and naturally differentiate instruction.

Students learn best when they have mutual respect

between themselves and their teacher and classmates

Relationships matter, especially in middle-school. Students are able to reach their full potential when they feel trusted and when they can trust those around them.

Students learn best when they have a balance of challenge and success

All students should feel valued and see the areas that they can contribute to the community. Even struggling learners deserve to have opportunities to shine. All students should feel challenged. Work should be differentiated so that even very gifted students are being forced to stretch for new understandings.