I will model fairness, respect, integrity, and responsibility. I will celebrate the diversity that each student brings to our classroom, and I will be clear from the beginning that I have high expectations for my students to do the same.

My beliefs about teaching and learning are constantly changing and growing throughout the duration of my studies, however, it has become particularly evident to me that the ways in which children learn are incredibly varied. At the beginning of my degree, I understood that different people hold different learning preferences, however, it wasn’t sure of the ‘why’. After years of study, I can now appreciate that children have diverse backgrounds and needs, which significantly impact the way in which they learn. For this reason, I will ensure that my lesson plans offer differentiation in learning experiences, and I will allow students the opportunity to take responsibility for their own choices in learning where possible.

In order for me to accommodate students’ diverse needs, I will need to develop relationships with them on an individual level, familiarising myself with their background and interests. My students can expect me to always be approachable, caring, and enthusiastic about them and their learning so that they feel physically and emotionally safe, and motivated to ‘have a go’.

Some examples of accommodating students’ needs may be incorporating the use of hands-on manipulatives, using symbols or images, relating content to interests and building on existing knowledge, integrating the use of ICT, or offering alternative assessments. All of these actions work towards creating an inclusive classroom environment.

Student safety plays a critical role in teaching, extending beyond physical safety within the classroom or playground. As a teacher in NSW, under the state’s duty of care requirements, I will be expected to provide reasonable care and supervision to students that ensure their safety in and out of school in all areas. This encompasses physical safety, emotional safety, and responsive to the digital demands of the 21^st century- the safe, responsible and ethical use of ICT.

To support physical safety, I will carry out supervision duties in line with my school policies, implement knowledge acquired from child protection training, first aid, and ongoing professional development, and uphold my duty of care as outlined in the NSW state document. I will know my students’ individual medical, additional, or particular care needs, and be competent in undertaking the appropriate action plans as necessary.

My legal requirements as a teacher include treating all students equitably, including students with special needs or disabilities and meeting the individual learning needs of said students.

Before students’ cognitive needs can be met, teachers must first ensure that students’ basic physiological needs are supported. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs suggests that emotional safety is right behind those of physical survival, in order for people to grow. When applied to education, this is particularly relevant because students need to feel emotionally safe and accepted in the classroom in order to engage in learning and be willing to contribute to discussion or take risks in their learning. In my classroom, I will place a strong emphasis on making myself approachable, encouraging students to have a go, celebrating individual successes and valuing failure as an opportunity for learning. I will encourage questions, provide feedback, and always encourage growth-mindsets. I will work towards strong relationships with my students, and closely monitor those between students and their peers, both in and out of the classroom.

In the 21^st century, digital technologies are a common part of education. In my classroom, ICT will be used to complement rather than replace rich learning experiences. It is my responsibility as a teacher to educate my students on the expected ethical behaviour and potential dangers of ICT. To ensure my students are using technology safely, I will conduct lessons that explicitly teach the students about cyber safety including cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and personal identity matters including their digital footprint. I will design my lesson to align with admin and educational policies and utilise the Australian Government education resources on digital citizenship. I will stress the importance of critical thinking skills when using the internet, and emphasise the importance of seeking support from a trusted adult when necessary. In addition to the explicit teaching, I will look for opportunities to reinforce cyber safe practices and always commend students’ courage to start such conversations.