Philosophy of Education

William Arthur Ward once said The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains.
The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. (Ward, W.A.)
A strong education is the most vital tool we can give children; should enable children
from all walks of life to lead bright and prosperous futures. For education to have such a
recognizable effect on children, I believe the classroom should be a welcoming environment that
stimulates learning, empowers emotional growth and provides children with the care, security
and safety they require. To create this environment, I believe the teacher should be a caring and
compassionate guide for all students, fostering imagination and creativity in an atmosphere
where students behave responsibly, respectfully and safely. As a teacher in a secondary
classroom, I will maintain a genuine interest in each and every one of my students and will
demonstrate support for them, their learning, and all efforts shown by students in my classroom.
I will foster responsibility, respect and safety in my classroom by being a model of sound
behavior, character and morals for my students. I believe children learn best when they can apply
what they have learned to their real lives so to create an environment that stimulates learning, I
will strive to keep my approach to teaching relevant to the world around them. I can achieve this
for my students by incorporating current events, technology and making real world connections
with the content I am teaching whenever possible. I believe technology has an important role
within the classroom, and when used appropriately to supplement instruction, can be a very
engaging tool to facilitate student learning and deepen understanding.
My positive attitude and confidence as an educator, along with my patience and
eagerness to explore different learning styles are some of the qualities I have that will allow my
classroom to become an atmosphere where children thrive, emotionally, mentally and physically.
As a secondary educator, I will be a motivator for my students, but will also teach students to
have accountability in their own learning to ensure success in their future education. This can be
achieved by fostering a supportive atmosphere, effectively teaching all the content, and allowing
flexibility for creativity in students process of demonstrating their understanding in assignments.
True teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their
students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to
create their own (Kazantzakis, N.). Our job as teachers is an amazing one; to be a guide for
children and to nurture their imagination and thirst for knowledge. A great teacher can have a
profoundly positive effect on the life of a child, and that is my dream.