Running head: Philosophy of Education 1

Philosophy of Education

Keondra D. Hill

Wesleyan College
Philosophy of Education 2

My Personal Philosophy of Education

Teaching young students is a task that can never be taken lightly. Educators have a big

influence on how students view school and learning new ideas. Though a career in education, a

teacher will face many challenges, experience some frustrating moments, and take on a lot of

responsibility. However teaching is full of joyous moments, excitement, and new discoveries

happen quite often. My Philosophy of education has evolved as I have gained new knowledge

and experiences in the classroom, and through field experience. However I still believe that

every student is capable of learning. As a teacher I must be aware of students developments,

ways to motivate students, aware of student learning and learning styles as well as how to

appropriately handle behavior. Teachers need to beware of all these factors so that we can push

student to their fullest potential and be able to relate to them.

New Beliefs

I still firmly believe that all students are capable of learning and that if teachers allow

students to make choices in their education they are more likely to take charge of their education.

Now I also believe that teachers should never do for students what they can do for themselves

(Gunning, 2010). I believe that students need to learn independence because it will help them in

the long run to become better students. often times we as teachers can baby students we supply

them with answers instead of letting them think for themselves, we do things for them that they

are very well capable of for time sake. But this teaches students that they can always depending

on someone to bail them out, or make things simpler for them. In real life things dont work that

easily so we need to teach students to be critical thinkers and independence.

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Educational Philosophy and Application

I will always believe that the teachers role is to care for students as well as guide,

protect, teach, and influence their young minds. The classroom as a whole serves as a family.

And like any other family, the classroom family is made of different ideas, backgrounds, morals,

abilities, and disabilities. The classroom should be inclusive and flexible in instruction. It needs

to be place where students feel comfortable to express difference in opinions and ideas. The

learning environment should be a place where students are always engaged in learning and

comfortable expressing differences. I believe the classroom should be a place where deep

discussions and a little debate take place. This however needs to have strict guidelines and I as a

teacher would have to discuss with student what appropriate and inapproape behavior. Students

need to understand that it is okay to have different opinions but we must still be respectfulof

others ideas even if we dont agree with them. I think this will peprare students on how to better

conduct themselves when they have to deal with similar issues in real life.

Purpose of School and a students responsibility

Education and its values will always vary among students. Students will value certain

subjects and aspects of schools differently than others. Because students will have many different

cultural influences, upbringings, and ideas. Education wont always be something that all

students are brought up to value. This is where it becomes my responsibility to help students

grow as individuals, intellectually, socially, and emotionally. I have to model for students the

importance of education and why they need to value it. I believe that I must challenge each

student according to his/her own potential. I will motivate my students to exceed to their full

potential.
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Student Nature.

Behaviorist theory reflects how I see the nature of the learner. Most behaviors are learned

and can be taught and modified and students have the disposition to change (Webb, 2010).

Teaching my students to be caring and respectful to one another will be my top priority. Never

should a student feel unwelcomed or uncomfortable in the classroom. I interferes with learning

and development. Skin color, culture, and background will never matter because all students

belong and will be treated equally by myself and each other. So its important that I model good

behaviors so that students learn to do the same.

Instructional Methods.

I need for my students to benefit from their education. Though my field experiences I

have been able to observe the differences between students who enjoy being in the classroom

and those who appear not to enjoy school so much. The key is to make education engaging and

exciting. Students need multiple opportunities to enjoy learning in nontraditional ways, so that it

doesnt really feel like work. Students need to be taught to according to their learning style. So

that means I need to present the content in multiple forms so that I can reach all my students. I

will integrate content as much as I can because as much as I can be very beneficial for students.

It will allow them to think deeper and make connections in content for me it will allow me to

give students a better learning experience because it will allow me more time in teaching content.

Through play students naturally learn. Students also reflect what they learn through play.

Through play students learn logical concepts and creative thinking (Decker, 2006). In my

classroom I will use games in all content areas to help students learn and critically think.

Through games it is a good way to differenciate learning. You can adapt games to meet student

needs I have watched how through games students who sometimes shut down become engaged
Philosophy of Education 5

with the content being learned. My teaching must be flexible to that I can reach all my students.

Never will all of my instruction time be in lecture form. I want to provide students exploration

time. Students make discoveries through exploration. Students also learn better by actually

doing. Group discussions and time to interact with other students is imperative students

sometimes can learn understand information better when it comes from other peers versus the

teacher. So I believe students need opportunities to talk with their classmates about their ideas

and learning.

If there is not an allotted time set aside for students to read at the school I will be working

for I will create a time. Wide Reading can help students with comprehension, communication,

and writing (Gunning, 2010). It also helps students grow intellectually. Students should not only

read inside the classrooms but out as well. So I will have my own personal reading goals that I

set for students. They will have so many books that I want them to read by the end of the year. I

will make sure students who dont necessarily come from an environment that encourages wide

reading have access to books to take home.

Classroom Management. In other to have an effective classroom that stimulates

learning and harmony is to have good classroom management. As I have learned through Becky

Baileys Conscious discipline book is that a teachers first priority is to have self-control. Before I

can even reach a student I must be InTouch with myself (Bailey, 2001). Every day in the

classroom will not be perfect and go as planned. There will be behavioral students and frustrating

days. It is my responsibility to always remain moral and ethical within the school system. A

student should never know they are able to push a button and get a reaction out of you.

Though my current field experience with older students, I notice how quickly student

make demeaning comments about other students learning abilities. Because of that Respect will
Philosophy of Education 6

continue to be my number one rule. Students need to be respectful of their peers when they are

talking. I want my students to motivate one another. I will teach them to uplift their peers. I have

notice how too many students shut down when they get frustrated or answer incorrectly. My

students will know that Cant is never an option. For unruly behavior students, children

cannot behave differently until they are seen differently.(Bailey, 2001). This is something that

was stuck with me over the years. Children who act out are often do so because they are seeking

attention that they may be lacking. I never want to focus on a students behavior and constantly

draw attention to the student. I believe in allowing students to make choices as a behavioral

techniques. Rather than constantly geeing onto a student and telling them that they have lost

recess, or talking privileges at lunch, or any other losses. I will give students options. For

example I will tell a student you can either stay in your seat or you can choose to stand on the

wall during recess. Choices build will power and self-esteem. My students will also know that

for every choice they make whether good or bad there is a consequence. This will prepare

students for real life experiences. All choices come with consequences. Responsibility is also

important because it helps foster independence.

Having an educational philosophy is very important. Its a guideline to set for a

harmonious classroom. Children are so unique and different. They learn at different rates, they

have different needs, and they come from various backgrounds. It is important and my top

priority to provide a safe and inclusive classroom that will help my students grow intellectually,

socially, and emotionally so that they reach success. Its also my responsibility to lay the

foundation that will allow students to stand strong, and continue to build upon their education

careers.
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References

Bailey, B. A. (2001). Conscious discipline, 7 basic skills for brain smart classroom management.

Teaching Strategies.

Decker, C. (2006). Children: The early years. Tinley Park, Illinois: The Goodheart Wilcox

Company, Inc.

Gunning, T. G. (2010). Assessing and correcting reading and writing difficulties. Boston:

Pearson.

Webb, D., Metha, A., & Jordan, F. (2010). Foundations of american education. (Sixth ed.).

Columbus, Ohio: Merrill.

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