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Philosophy of Education

Benette S. Yates

College of Southern Nevada

Edu 201-1011

Susan Bridges

May 9, 2021
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Teaching Profession

Teaching is a profession meant to equip learners with skills and motivate learners to

move forward. With the right attitude, a teacher can achieve these objectives (Bektas and

Nalcaci, 2012). My passion for teaching primary level students started way back in my primary

level. Understanding what the teacher taught me gave me the zill to be bright and teach other

people. In other words, my favorite teacher inspired me to be a teacher. The passion grew inside

me with time, and this includes after my experience in working with a special needs classroom

setting and primary level students.

Being around young people and studying their behaviors in a school environment added

more advantages to my skill. I have worked as a Resource Instructional assistant at the primary

level. The level was kinder-2nd grade students. Understanding the young minds is vital in

accomplishing the goal of helping the kids who are lagging. From my field observation, I

understand that young learners work best through creative teaching. Some of these ways are oral

learning, drawing among others. Learners can use their various senses in learning. Training has

also equipped me with efficient skills in teaching.

I have understood that teaching is not just a job but an art. Teaching is An Art of sharing

ideas coming up with new teaching methods and creating a good teacher and student

relationship. Combining skill, passion, and experience is a great way to assist in any school

environment. Other than these traits, patience is a virtue when it comes to tutoring. Allowing a

student to be creative in a new way is among my best moments in life. Teaching is an art of life,

and it happens all the time.

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Progressivism and existentialism are the known types that may be termed as my

philosophy of education. The perfect way of teaching is through the combination of the two.

When the teacher dictates to the student what to do within a classroom, he/she is said to have

practiced progressivism. Students learn perfectly when they perform the activities by themselves.

The actual act of doing something and learning about how to do it are two different things.

The method in which teaching allows children to confront his/her freedom is a form of

practicing existentialism. I the school work, students should feel a sense of freedom when they

are making decisions. When the two are combined, they enable them to carry out a task and

make an independent understanding of a specific concept (Ornstein et al., 2016). Work that is

done at the school can only be made meaningful when a child can her/himself understand what

they are being taught.

According to my understanding of curriculum and education, students should be regarded

as blank slates, and the expected absorption of information is passively or should be understood

as active learners. That is why I encourage engaging in self-discovery and learning, using

standardized testing to measure the educational outcome, attainment, or success.

Some historical events will stage how I will think about my children at school. One was

the invention of writing. This was due to the thoughts that rose about the role of the formation of

education practices. In the past, teachers or educators were believed to be entertainers and artists

like our current musicians and actors. The other event was the rise of medieval guilds and the

invention of a female teacher.

What instructional strategies will you implement?

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Instructional strategies involve approaches that teachers use in assisting the students in

becoming independent learners. Implementing active learning strategies is essential in

determining the knowledge of the students. Active learning involves various techniques such as

the flipped classrooms, exit tickets, reflection, and muddiest points (Souto-Manning, 2016). I

would use the exit tickets, which involve the students writing down an answer to a question

concerning the topic learned in class. The tickets help in enabling one to understand how the

students are grasping the knowledge. Assessment-based strategies are important as they will help

determine if the students have learned the most important concepts. Grade as you go and

homework practice approaches are strategies I would incorporate while making an assessment.

Grade, as you go, involves having the students work on concepts either as a group or individually

and checking their work. Homework practice consists of assigning the students assignments to

refine their learning skills. If a student is unable to complete the work by themselves, it is

indicative they still need more elaboration. 

How will you approach student learning, student diversity and variability, and assessment?

A classroom brings together students from various backgrounds with different abilities,

and to effectively teach; one should implement strategies that meet every student’s needs.

Implementation of visualization is essential as it creates a mental image in the students enabling

them to understand the meaning of a text and how it applies in actual life (Souto-Manning,

2016). Visualization involves the use of charts, diagrams, videos, and maps. I will incorporate

technology in my teaching as this actively engages them in the classroom. Using technology

enables learning to become interactive and facilitates visualization. Behavior management is an

essential strategy that involves creating an environment that supports mutual respect and ensures
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the students can reach their potential (Souto-Manning, 2016). An environment that requires

consideration can be made through discipline and reward. 

The incorporation of differentiation in learning ensures that a teacher meets the diverse

needs of the students. Assigning tasks based on the capabilities of the students ensures they all

are moving at the same pace. I will ensure the students with low abilities get appropriate support

while those with high academic capabilities are stretched while engaging in classroom activities.

The implementation of inquiry-based learning in the classroom inspires the students to become

independent and improve their understanding of concepts. By encouraging my students to ask

questions, I inspire them to think and improve their problem-solving skills. 

Cooperative learning is a strategy that involves students with different capabilities

working together either as a class or group activity (Souto-Manning,2016). Their participation

in-class activities that involve a verbal expression of their ideas develop their self-confidence and

communication skills. Participating in professional development is a great strategy that improves

the teaching and learning process in a classroom. The education policies are constantly

undergoing change, and participating in the programs is inspirational, and one gets to learn the

new educational concepts. The use of the strategies in a classroom is essential as it promotes

dynamism and motivates the students.     

What characteristics and skills do you need to possess to continue in this career?

Critical thinking is an essential skill as I will be aware of parents' expectations regarding

discipline and learning. Critical thinking skills enable one to have the ability to deliver according

to the interests and needs of the students and the institution. Effective communication skills are

essential in the teaching career as it involves verbal, written and body language communication
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(Lamb, 2017). Written communication is vital as teachers are required to register progress

reports and provide feedback for assignments. Conflict resolution skills are crucial as a teacher

can resolve disputes between students, students, teachers, or parents and teachers. Conflict

resolution skills involve being patient and actively listening to various views before coming to a

compromise. Patience is an essential character since teachers interact with students from diverse

backgrounds and abilities (Lamb, 2017). Patience helps a teacher have a balance between their

expectations and the student's capabilities. Enthusiasm is an important trait that enables one to

engage with the students as you teach. Enthusiasm is infectious, thus developing the student's

interest.

What specific steps (education, employment, volunteer experiences) will your take to

achieve your goals and the requirements for teacher licensure?

To achieve my goals, I volunteer in food drives in my school community as it is

enriching and familiarizes one with the community. Through volunteering, I can interact with

people from various backgrounds and learn the different cultural aspects. Volunteering improves

an individual's people's skills and enhances several characteristics such as patience and kindness.

I regularly volunteer to help teachers in their classrooms. At times the teachers are overwhelmed

with checking assignments, and I gladly help out. There are times when I join teachers in helping

the student with lower learning abilities improve their academic performances through offering

remedial programs. Volunteering to help the teachers has helped me develop patience and

communication skills essential in the teaching profession (Lamb, 2017). I volunteer in the Leader

in Me Lighthouse Club in my school, whereby I assist students in learning how to manage their

time and emotions, be persuasive communicators, creatively solve problems and value their

differences. Through volunteering in the club, I also improve my character and skills as the
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students are from different backgrounds. Volunteering is an activity that improves my

collaboration skills as I interact with diverse people (Lamb, 2017). Therefore, I improve my

patience, enthusiasm, active listening, and communication skills vital in the teaching profession. 

Reference

Bektas, F., & Nalcaci, A. (2012). The Relationship between Personal Values and Attitude

towards Teaching Profession. Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice, 12(2), 1244-

1248.

Ornstein, A. C., Levine, D. U., Gutek, G., & Vocke, D. E. (2016). Foundations of education.

Cengage Learning.

Souto-Manning, M., & Martell, J. (2016). Reading, writing, and talk: Inclusive teaching

strategies for diverse learners, K–2. Teachers College Press.

Lamb, S., Maire, Q., & Doecke, E. (2017). Key skills for the 21st century: An evidence-based

review.