Personal Philosophy of Schooling, Learning and Teaching
In every math class I’ve taken, there have been slow kids, average kids and whiz kids. I want to teach math to try and erase this reoccurring hierarchy. Math does come more easily to some people than others, but I want to try to find a mean to improve education methods so that every student can develop proficiency. There seems to be something about doing well in math that makes kids feel they are smart in everything; I want the moaning and groaning over the subject of math to cease and become a less hated subject area. I believe that every child is unique and needs a secure, caring, and stimulating atmosphere in which to grow and mature emotionally, intellectually, physically, and socially. It is my desire as an educator to help students meet their fullest potential by providing an environment that is safe, supportive, and inviting. A teacher should act as a guide, allow a student’s curiosity to guide their learning, and promote respect on all fronts. I believe children have greater respect for their teachers, their peers, and the lessons presented when they feel safe and sure of what is expected of them. In setting fair and consistent rules initially and stating the importance of every activity, students are shown respect for their presence and time. For myself, teaching provides an opportunity for continual learning and growth. One of my hopes as an educator is to instill a love of learning in my students, as I share my own passion for learning with them. In our competitive society it is important for students to not only receive a solid education, but to work with someone who is aware of and sensitive to their individual needs. I am such a person and will always strive to be the best educator that I can be. I have personally experienced teachers who evoke a strong passion and want for all their students to succeed. I felt their love of teaching, their love of math and their love of students, which I would love to emulate with my own sense of style.
The nature of schooling is to bring about physical, mental and social development of students. At the personal level, schools have helped students discover and cultivate individual interests and talents, form good habits, and develop an understanding of what it means to lead a good life. Schools have prepared students to contribute productively to the economy by preparing them to pursue a vocation or further study leading toward some profession. And schools have achieved civic goals by equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be good citizens. It’s on the basis of education that an individual can pursue their dreams. I agree with the Core Knowledge criteria in how to effectively instill and implement the purpose of school in my future students. Regardless of the subject being taught, the curriculum must serve the common purpose of preparing students for participation in a democracy. In accordance with the Core Knowledge criteria, I plan to teach kindness, thinking, problem solving and communication throughout my lessons. Kindness would allow us to accept one another without prejudging. We need to care about everyone, not just ourselves. Every time a student gives an answer, that student should have to justify the chain of reasoning that gave rise to that answer. Other students should be ready to challenge the response with regard to its logic, unanticipated consequences, and practicality. For example, if I give an algebraic equation in class, I would ask for the answer from one student and then ask another to explain why it is that answer. They need to understand why it is that answer and be able to question it. If we do not teach students how to think logically and thoroughly, we will continue to operate in a political world of sound bites and emotional rhetoric. Thinking then naturally leads to problem solving. What good is all of our work if we cannot communicate with one another and with the rest of the world? We will have to express ourselves and understand others in many ways, including social language, technical language, body language, mathematical language, customs, and cultural habits to name but a few (Heller, 2008).
Learners need capable teachers to create a dynamic and interactive environment. The physical nature of the learner cannot be pinpointed to one description. All students are unique in their ability to study, read, write and be progressive in their work, under many conditions. Mentally a learner deals best with confidence in themselves and respect from the teacher and their surrounding pupils. Respect and confidence go hand in hand in the classroom. A student that is shown and can feel the respect of the class and the instructor has a much better chance of being confident to answer questions and to let their voice be heard among the class. A learner who is not shown respect from their teacher or are not respected by their classmates will feel a lot of pressure when they have the chance to participate. They could get nervous about humiliating themselves with a wrong answer that they will not try. Oftentimes the teacher could lose the attention of this student because the student will perceive the class as boring because of the lack of participation on the student's part. An example of showing respect for your students is recognizing that they are all unique and different. If a student wants to share how they are different, that’s okay. But pointing it out is not okay. A “working definition of respecting children’s thinking is to take them seriously, thoughtfully interact with them, nurture, engage and honor them- and don’t humiliate, ridicule or stifle them” (Weissglass, 2012, p. 29). Teachers must earn students’ respect to understand the nature of the learner.
Knowledge is not taught, content is taught. Once a person absorbs the content, it is then knowledge held by that person so being a teacher is more than just teaching content. Education is a universal right and in order for a society to grow and become stronger everyone who wants an education should be able to get one from capable instructors. “The success for a teacher depends heavily on the active cooperation of the student. The student must be willing to learn what the teacher is teaching. There is the same exact equation between teaching and learning that there is between selling and buying. That is, you cant be a good salesperson unless someone is buying, and you cant be a good teacher unless someone is learning” (Jackson, 1986). Teaching is a process, not a product and as such, it develops and changes over time. All teachers change with their experiences in and out of the classroom. As I observed classes, I began to see that some of the most important learning occurred as the students worked together to solve problems. The students continued to receive an abundance of information; however, they were now processing this information in groups rather than as individuals. When I’m a teacher I will plan experiences that require student collaboration. As teachers learn about the diverse needs of their students and through trial and error, teachers develop their own teaching process.
As an educator, I have a responsibility to convey, model and promote positive standards of professional conduct. I need to maintain ethical standards and there are numerous behaviors I must exhibit in order to carry out my philosophical position. “Because people’s thoughts can’t be seen, their beliefs or philosophy become evident by the way they behave” (Ebert and Culyer, 2011, p. 319). Empathy will be exhibited through seeing and accepting my students’ points of view and I believe that a true grasp of a student’s point of view, and an accurate communication of that understanding, is a most important key to establishing a significant teacher-student relationship. I will personally make it my goal to establish a relationship with each student to understand his or her individual needs. Respect and acceptance will be needed to appreciate each student’s unique views. Believing in the worth, ability and potential of others is key in emanating my disposition. I will always have the attitude of “can” and “will” and will try my best not to say “can’t” to my students and I will expect the same from them. If I have an established self-concept that is positive, my students will hopefully feed off of that attitude for themselves. I want all of my students to feel my authenticity by always being honest ensure a sense of trust and letting them know I care and I am there. Respect is a huge part of my philosophical position and a way to exhibit that is to have a respectable attitude. The best way I can carry out my philosophical position is to act and be the person that would emulate those qualities, my philosophical position and my disposition go hand in hand and that it the only way I will get the outcome I desire.
The qualities of an outstanding teacher are manifold. Students seek teachers for guidance, so it is imperative that teachers display their leadership skills, while encouraging students to work towards guiding each other. “There is no formula for successful teaching. Each professor is unique and has an individual educational philosophy and teaching goals” (Rossett, 2009, p. 16) Every child is unique and needs a secure, caring, and stimulating atmosphere in which they can grow and mature emotionally, intellectually, physically, and socially. School should be a student’s safe place and I want my classroom to exhibit that. I hope to instill a love of learning in my students by radiating my own passion for learning. School is a place where you receive an education, but kids will receive a great education if they are able to work with someone who is aware and sensitive to their individual needs. Through passion, knowledge and respect I plan to embed a love of learning in my future students.
The nature of schooling is to bring about physical, mental and social development of students. At the personal level, schools have helped students discover and cultivate individual interests and talents, form good habits, and develop an understanding of what it means to lead a good life. Schools have prepared students to contribute productively to the economy by preparing them to pursue a vocation or further study leading toward some profession. And schools have achieved civic goals by equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be good citizens. It’s on the basis of education that an individual can pursue their dreams. I agree with the Core Knowledge criteria in how to effectively instill and implement the purpose of school in my future students. Regardless of the subject being taught, the curriculum must serve the common purpose of preparing students for participation in a democracy. In accordance with the Core Knowledge criteria, I plan to teach kindness, thinking, problem solving and communication throughout my lessons. Kindness would allow us to accept one another without prejudging. We need to care about everyone, not just ourselves. Every time a student gives an answer, that student should have to justify the chain of reasoning that gave rise to that answer. Other students should be ready to challenge the response with regard to its logic, unanticipated consequences, and practicality. For example, if I give an algebraic equation in class, I would ask for the answer from one student and then ask another to explain why it is that answer. They need to understand why it is that answer and be able to question it. If we do not teach students how to think logically and thoroughly, we will continue to operate in a political world of sound bites and emotional rhetoric. Thinking then naturally leads to problem solving. What good is all of our work if we cannot communicate with one another and with the rest of the world? We will have to express ourselves and understand others in many ways, including social language, technical language, body language, mathematical language, customs, and cultural habits to name but a few (Heller, 2008).
Learners need capable teachers to create a dynamic and interactive environment. The physical nature of the learner cannot be pinpointed to one description. All students are unique in their ability to study, read, write and be progressive in their work, under many conditions. Mentally a learner deals best with confidence in themselves and respect from the teacher and their surrounding pupils. Respect and confidence go hand in hand in the classroom. A student that is shown and can feel the respect of the class and the instructor has a much better chance of being confident to answer questions and to let their voice be heard among the class. A learner who is not shown respect from their teacher or are not respected by their classmates will feel a lot of pressure when they have the chance to participate. They could get nervous about humiliating themselves with a wrong answer that they will not try. Oftentimes the teacher could lose the attention of this student because the student will perceive the class as boring because of the lack of participation on the student's part. An example of showing respect for your students is recognizing that they are all unique and different. If a student wants to share how they are different, that’s okay. But pointing it out is not okay. A “working definition of respecting children’s thinking is to take them seriously, thoughtfully interact with them, nurture, engage and honor them- and don’t humiliate, ridicule or stifle them” (Weissglass, 2012, p. 29). Teachers must earn students’ respect to understand the nature of the learner.
Knowledge is not taught, content is taught. Once a person absorbs the content, it is then knowledge held by that person so being a teacher is more than just teaching content. Education is a universal right and in order for a society to grow and become stronger everyone who wants an education should be able to get one from capable instructors. “The success for a teacher depends heavily on the active cooperation of the student. The student must be willing to learn what the teacher is teaching. There is the same exact equation between teaching and learning that there is between selling and buying. That is, you cant be a good salesperson unless someone is buying, and you cant be a good teacher unless someone is learning” (Jackson, 1986). Teaching is a process, not a product and as such, it develops and changes over time. All teachers change with their experiences in and out of the classroom. As I observed classes, I began to see that some of the most important learning occurred as the students worked together to solve problems. The students continued to receive an abundance of information; however, they were now processing this information in groups rather than as individuals. When I’m a teacher I will plan experiences that require student collaboration. As teachers learn about the diverse needs of their students and through trial and error, teachers develop their own teaching process.
As an educator, I have a responsibility to convey, model and promote positive standards of professional conduct. I need to maintain ethical standards and there are numerous behaviors I must exhibit in order to carry out my philosophical position. “Because people’s thoughts can’t be seen, their beliefs or philosophy become evident by the way they behave” (Ebert and Culyer, 2011, p. 319). Empathy will be exhibited through seeing and accepting my students’ points of view and I believe that a true grasp of a student’s point of view, and an accurate communication of that understanding, is a most important key to establishing a significant teacher-student relationship. I will personally make it my goal to establish a relationship with each student to understand his or her individual needs. Respect and acceptance will be needed to appreciate each student’s unique views. Believing in the worth, ability and potential of others is key in emanating my disposition. I will always have the attitude of “can” and “will” and will try my best not to say “can’t” to my students and I will expect the same from them. If I have an established self-concept that is positive, my students will hopefully feed off of that attitude for themselves. I want all of my students to feel my authenticity by always being honest ensure a sense of trust and letting them know I care and I am there. Respect is a huge part of my philosophical position and a way to exhibit that is to have a respectable attitude. The best way I can carry out my philosophical position is to act and be the person that would emulate those qualities, my philosophical position and my disposition go hand in hand and that it the only way I will get the outcome I desire.
The qualities of an outstanding teacher are manifold. Students seek teachers for guidance, so it is imperative that teachers display their leadership skills, while encouraging students to work towards guiding each other. “There is no formula for successful teaching. Each professor is unique and has an individual educational philosophy and teaching goals” (Rossett, 2009, p. 16) Every child is unique and needs a secure, caring, and stimulating atmosphere in which they can grow and mature emotionally, intellectually, physically, and socially. School should be a student’s safe place and I want my classroom to exhibit that. I hope to instill a love of learning in my students by radiating my own passion for learning. School is a place where you receive an education, but kids will receive a great education if they are able to work with someone who is aware and sensitive to their individual needs. Through passion, knowledge and respect I plan to embed a love of learning in my future students.