My Philosophy of Education

One of the most popular views of modern education seems to be the idea that it is only necessary for the purpose of job training. The majority of western citizens only go through schooling so that they will be more marketable individuals in the career world. In fact, most avenues of study are chosen simply because they have been known to lead to the most lucrative employment opportunities. My personal philosophy on education calls for a shift in the overall view of learning in our society. I desire for my students to see learning as an opportunity to grow into whole and effective human beings who will contribute substantially and significantly to society. Education is more than merely job training. Education is an opportunity for human beings to interact with the Creator in an intimate and more knowledgeable way. Even in a world that refuses to acknowledge His existence, a broadening and student centered education can allow for a more in depth interaction with the world God has created, thereby allowing mankind to see more fully the glory of the Lord. As an educator, my prayer is that I will be able to ignite a passion for learning within my students. I will not be satisfied to see academic measurable growth; instead, I desire to focus on the development of the holistic personhood of my students. I will do this through extensive reflective assignments that allow plenty of room for my students to explore the space around them. Through literature, I plan to emphasize the importance of interacting with the thoughts and expressions of other people around the world. I will do this through targeting critical reading skills, critical writing skills, frequently instigating primarily student led discussions, and introducing the art of research. My prayer is that my students will learn to see artistic expression, social engagement, scientific theory, and communication theory as equally important components of understanding the world around them. I plan to do this through integrating, as frequently as possible, the study of other content areas into my own curriculum. While always using English as the main lesson, I want my students to develop an appreciation for the way that everything they are learning is practical and connected. A large aspect of teaching the whole student is going to require me to spend much more energy differentiating my lessons to target all learning styles within my classroom. I desire for students to take hold of their own learning and I understand that I must first aid them in finding their own intrinsic

motivation. I have realized that in order to accomplish these things, I must first master the art of discussion within the classroom. Students tend to give more effort in a classroom where they feel like their voice will be heard. Im excited about how I will grow as an educator in the next few years!