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Cheyenne Hamblin
Dr. Folden
EDUC. 1301
October 30, 2017
Philosophy of Education
When it comes to children we all want the same thing. What is best for them. Especially
when it comes to their education. We all know the basics of creating a fun, safe, confrontable and
engaging environment. We all want them to be successful but in what way do we help them to be
successful educational wise? As teachers, or teachers in training, we have many different ideas or
philosophies about how we would teach our students in the classroom. There are five
philosophies, progressivism, social reconstruction, existentialism, essentialism, and
perennialism. The student-centered philosophies, progressivism, social reconstruction and
existentialism, tend to be less authoritative compared to the teacher-centered philosophies,
essentialism and perennialism. The one I have strongly come to agree with is progressivism.
Some of my everlasting memories in school are the ones on field trips and group
activities with friends. I will never forget the amazing time my friends and I all had when
we got to spend time outside planting new plants in the local park for earth day. Sitting in class
watching the teacher stand in one spot seemed to last forever. After I got home and my parents
would ask me what I learned that day I could never remember. That is why I tend to strongly
agree with progressivists. Progressivism organizes teaching around social interaction and the real
world. Answers to problems are not found in textbooks but drawn from real life experiences.
Getting up and moving and interacting had lasting meaning that could not be replaced by book
learning.
John Dewey, the idealist behind progressivism, sought out education to be an opportunity
to learn from previous experiences and apply them to their world around them in new ways
through the scientific method. If you teach students only the traditional academic topics, like
essentialism, or through the biased opinions of Great Books, like perennialism, they will only
ever see the world as it was. They will never be able to see the world as it is or could be. Being
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socially aware of the world and the people in it is important.

America has become a pool of many colors. As teachers it is also our job to teach your
students of all different backgrounds how to be successful. This can be overwhelming. That is
why I agree with progressivism. Progressivist teachers can balance students differences by
teaching real world economic, social and political problems. Students can then leave school not
only understanding the basics but as well as how to live comfortably in the world around them. If
we, teachers, think outside the box and use our imagination then so will our students. By
encouraging an active and hands on approach, not just with the basic curriculum, students can
learn how to reach their goals.
In my own world, grades, standardized testing and assessments would all but be gone. It
is hard to get to know your students individual personalities and ways they learn best when a
teacher is worried about cramming state test information in their students heads by a certain time.
Students become overwhelmed trying to learn what the state feels like a student should master
at each grade level. There are academic basics that should be covered in a classroom but if we
can approach these in a different way that are more confrontable to the students I feel the
students will be more successful with testing. Progressivism gives students a way to step back
from pen and paper. They get to learn through active engagement. This does not only have to be
on a field trip but also by grouping with other students who learn at their same pace in subjects.
Progressivist teachers can really take the time to get to know each student and what encourages
them to learn. With successful testing the students with have successful assessments not only
uplifting them but encouraging them to want to learn more.
I have always believed that children can change the world. If we teach them everything,
not only the essentials of curriculum, to reach beyond testing and assessments, and push them to
get to know the world and people around them students can open any door they want. As a
successful teacher I want them to not only pass their test but let them see the world as vibrant
open ending of possibilities. If we can pave the way for them then they will pave the way for
their children as well.