Philosophy of Education

You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by
creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.- Clay
P. Bedford
This quote by lay !edford goes well with my progressive outloo" on education. #
feel what is often missing in the classroom is the hands-on e$periences that get
children e$cited and passionate about learning. !elow are a few important
questions that every educator needs to consider before stepping into a classroom.
What is the real purpose of education in our society?
%ith more and more stress being put on the education system # feel there is no
better time for such a question. # strongly believe that education is the most
important asset to any society. hildren are our future business owners,
lawma"ers, educators, police officers and presidents. &ailing our children on
something as important as their education is not an option. 's an educator, # will
not compromise on the quality of the education # give my students.
What is the role of the teacher in the classroom?
&rom my studies and spea"ing with teachers # have learned that classroom
management is one of the most important things a teacher needs to establish. #
believe in order for an educator to effectively teach his or her students, he or she
must have the respect and the attention of the class. 's an educator, # plan on
doing this by building community in the classroom. # feel that if children respect
one another and are comfortable sharing their opinions and ideas, more effective
and inclusive learning can happen. # believe it is not the role of the teacher to be
the dictator in the classroom but to challenge students to thin" deeper and share
their thoughts and feelings on the sub(ect. #f a student feels li"e his or her
opinion matters, he or she will more li"ely stay attentive and involved in the
discussion.
How do you believe students learn best?
# am "eenly aware of different individual learning styles, yet # have made clear my
progressive feelings as an educator. #t is not that # am against traditional
teaching methods. # do feel that they are geared more to the auditory and visual
learners, often leaving out the "inesthetic hands-on learners. #n my classroom #
will loo" for ways to incorporate every type of learner into my lessons. !y doing
so, # will allow for all types of learners to thrive.
What qualities do you believe an effective teacher should have?
# believe that every individual in every profession will have strengths and
wea"nesses. The goal is to not let your wea"nesses prevail over your strengths.
)ome qualities an effective educator should possess are patience and
understanding; he or she should be passionate about teaching and learning,
supportive and dedicated to his or her students, and unwilling to settle for
anything but the best a student has to offer. )ome of these qualities a person is
born with, others may be achieved. The important thing is that a teacher gives
everything he or she have to his or her students and e$pects nothing less in
return.
Why do you want to become a teacher?
# have always been curious and passionate about learning. *y decision to
become a teacher came when # reali+ed in no other profession would # have the
opportunity to ma"e a difference in children,s lives in such a profound way. 's
educators, it is our responsibility to get students interested, e$cited, and involved
in any topic, and # "now # have what it ta"es to ma"e every child feel important in
the community # will create in my classroom.