PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION 1

Sidney Pierce

December 3, 2019

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”

(Mandela, 2003). As a teacher, I want to influence my students to use their education in a

powerful manner that will change the world. I view children as a gift from God and one who

bears the image of God. I believe the main purpose of school is to educate students academically,

develop life-long skills, and care for the entire child. Students that are well educated are well

prepared for the future.

Students are at different places in life when they enter one’s classroom; therefore,

teachers should celebrate this diversity among the students. I believe that students should feel

safe enough to make mistake and grow from these errors. I agree with Maslow that students have

individual needs that must be met in order for that child to learn (Woolfolk, 2007, p. 374). I

think it is critical for the teacher to meet students’ individual needs. Gardner believes, and I

agree, that students have preferred learning styles (Woolfolk, 2007, p. 113). It is important for

teachers to use different learning styles, so students can find what works best for them, and so

they have an opportunity to be successful. I believe that students are motivated both intrinsically

and extrinsically, and as a teacher, we need to motivate students in both ways. The use of

intrinsic and extrinsic motivation leads to the student possessing ownership of his/her learning.

In addition, I think it is important to have positive relationships with my students. When

students partake in these positive relationships, students are more likely to learn and will feel

valued as an individual. Vygotsky created the idea of “Zone of Proximal Development”

(Woolfolk, 2007, p. 44). I think that teachers should create activities that are inside of the

students “Zone of Proximal Development,” so learning can occur. I believe that students should
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be active learners. If students are the center of the instruction and active in the content, then

students are able to make more connections to the lessons. Active learning involves students

engaging and making meaningful connections with the materials.

In fact, teachers have several roles in the classroom. The main reason that teachers are

hired is to educate students. I believe a teacher is an exemplar of his/her actions and words inside

and outside of the classroom. I believe that teaching is an on-going learning process. Teachers

are like coaches, they direct the students to success, help students when needed, and encourage

them to do their best. Students should know the teacher is the authority figure and someone they

can rely on in all situations in the classroom. The teacher should be an expert and feel confident

enough to teach students in the appropriate subjects. Teachers have such large roles because

“Teachers are person-makers” (Cooney, Cross, & Trunk, 1993).

In my classroom, I will not put up with neglect or abuse in any form and I will be an

advocate for my students. I do not believe in punishing the whole class, and I do not think that

students should sit or be required to stay inside during recess as a form of punishment. Teachers

should create a positive classroom atmosphere, so students can make decisions and express their

feelings. I think teachers should teach core knowledge and when students are exposed to this

body of core knowledge, they can be active participants in our society. These are just some ideas

and concepts that I stand firm on as a teacher and these opinions of mine will not waver.

In conclusion, it is important for students to come to school to be educated. Regardless of

what students bring to the classroom, it is the teacher’s responsibility to teach each student and

love that individual. I think it is important for teachers to bring real-world experiences into the

classroom to create meaningful learning for the students. I look forward to educating the future

generations and love each and every one while they are in my classroom.
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References
Cooney, W., Cross, C., & Trunk, B. (1993). From plato to piaget: The greatest educational
theorists from across the centuries and around the world. Lanham, MD: University Press
of America, Inc.
Mandela, N. (2003, July). Light your way to a better future. Mindset Network. Talk presented at
Launch of the Mindset Network, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South
Africa.
Woolfolk, A. (2007). Educational psychology (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.