EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
In today’s society, it is necessary for a person to take into account different aspects of education in order to form one’s educational philosophy. My main philosophy would be education is a life long process that goes well beyond the twelfth grade of traditional schooling. However, this philosophy takes into consideration several other ideas pertaining to teaching. It is not enough to say that students will become life long learners. It is the teacher’s obligation to adjust to each student’s learning style. First, the many pieces involved with this philosophy need to be examined.
Most important, the education experience revolves around the student. Therefore, the teacher must realize that each child is unique bringing with them different backgrounds, competencies, skills, sensitivities, and needs. Knowing this, the educator must then adapt their lessons to include all learners. Thus, each student will be given an equal opportunity to learn. It is the instructor’s responsibility to ensure that not a single student is left behind. Recognizing each child’s individual background will help to keep all students focused in the classroom. The teacher must also believe in the students’ abilities if the students are expected to believe in themselves. This requires the educator to respect the students. If this is done, then a mutual respect shall form between the students and the teacher.
The classroom should be seen as a cooperative environment, the same as any workplace. Teachers and students should work together in sharing materials, ideas, and strategies. This can be achieved by having a positive attitude towards students and fellow teachers. If the students see that the teacher is enthusiastic, they will then return the teacher’s enthusiasm. An example of this would be reading in the classroom. If the teacher is an avid reader and demonstrates this to the class, the class will then imitate the teacher’s passion. By establishing reading as an important school and extracurricular activity, the educator will increase the chances of the students becoming life long learners. However, if these goals are not met, then the classroom will become a negative learning environment. The instructor must keep an open mind and realize that they have just as much to learn from the students as the students will learn from the instructor. By learning from the students, it creates a positive exchange and free flow of ideas in the classroom. This will also help the teacher learn about each student’s individual characteristics.
In order to turn students into life long learners, I feel that it is important to stress the utilization of language and reading skills. Once students pass the twelfth grade of public education, or after the collegiate years, the majority of information that they take in will be from things they read. Therefore, it is essential at a young age to emphasize the importance of becoming passionate readers. In addition, emphasis must be placed on the strong development of language skills. This will enhance the students’ verbal and written communication abilities, thus ensuring productive participation within society. Without the development of these skills, they will be at a severe disadvantage later in life.
Stressing the importance of reading will ensure that students do not just read what is assigned to them. Instead, through reading, they will explore areas of interests during leisure time. This skill will stay with them throughout their life. Language skills, I feel, are skills that are often overlooked in our society. The ability to speak and write well will always be beneficial. Too often society is hindered by its members’ inability to utilize the written word. This can mean anything from simple spelling and grammatical errors to a large-scale problem of not setting forth a main idea in one’s writing. Everyone has read something, be it in a newspaper or inner office memo, where they have been unclear about the author’s true purpose for writing. Having worked as a peer proofreader in college I have seen a fair share of students that have underdeveloped writing abilities. By correcting this at a young age, a standard is set forth that the students will follow throughout their life.
My short-term goals are to obtain my Master’s Degree in Elementary education and a job working in an Elementary school. For long-term goals, I would like to work towards creating life long learners out of each one of the students in my classroom. It is also my goal to create a positive learning environment within the classroom; hence, setting forth a place that would permit the free flow of ideas from all students. I can remember the teachers that I had throughout my public education that inspired me with their ideas. It is my hope that I can do the same for the students I encounter.
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