Running head: Philosophy of Education 1

Philosophy of Education

Lizette Ponce

College of Southern Nevada

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Philosophy of Education

I always wanted a profession that made a difference. Profession I would be proud of and

would also fulfill me as a person, I want to be the change I want to see in the world. From a very

young age I knew I loved children. I am my parent’s eldest out of four children, thus growing up

I was always in charge of caring for my younger siblings. As I grew older, I realized and saw

how much of an impact I truly had on my brothers and sister. I love seeing good qualities in them

and I love it even more when they share that with others. It was then that I knew that what I did

had a direct impact on others. It wasn’t until earlier this year however that I actually made up my

mind about becoming a teacher. I also considered other professions such as going into social

work.

Children spend most of their day at school, so it makes sense that aside from their

parents, teachers are the adults who have the greatest influence on them. I get a great sense of

motivation and drive just thinking I can be that for a child and a classroom in the future. When I

was in middle school I was a student aide for a teacher for two full years. In those two years we

got very close and it was him who guided me into making more mindful decisions about my

education. In all honesty if it was not for him I would have never applied to the high school I

attended and would have not been exposed to the experiences and opportunities that were

presented to me by attending this school. I even invited him to my high school graduation after

not being in contact for many years. I wanted him to know he inspired me and was a great reason

as to why I was where I was.

I also had another teacher who had a great impact on me growing up, her name is Ms.

Thomas. She was my fifth grade teacher when I moved to a new school. She was very nice and I
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always felt like she truly cared about me, and with no friends at my new school at the time that

meant a lot to me. Ms. Thomas ended up switching to teaching kindergarten and a few years later

she became my younger brother’s teacher, which also loved her. I still keep in contact with her

till this day as well and she is a strategist at her school now.

My field observation helped me a lot more than I thought it was going to. I got very

emotional my first day in the classroom because I really enjoyed it. It felt good to find the

profession I can see myself doing for the rest of my life. I know I am making the right choice, it

helped that I had a great cooperating teacher too. We have discussed many things and she has

been very helpful in answering any questions I have. I enjoy her classroom and I am thankful she

invites me to help her even though I have completed my field observation hours. I now have a

deeper understanding of how a classroom works and it is not always easy. Especially since in her

classroom there is one main trouble maker.

After taking the philosophic inventory (Parkway, 2018, p. 132-134) I was able to identify

my educational philosophies to be progressivism and perennialism as I received equal scores for

both of these categories. I do believe education should be more student centered, if children feel

like you care about what they want to learn and your relationship with them, they will work

better for you. By the same token, I also believe there should be focus of subject and preparing

students for the next grade so they are able to succeed. In a way these two methods of teaching

go hand in hand; you cannot do one successfully without the other. I am fully aware however

that I will not truly know my true style of teaching until I am in the classroom. I am also aware

that my educational philosophies can always change.

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The instructional strategies that I will implement will be direct instruction such as

lectures, demonstrations and videos. As well as interactive instruction which will make students

brainstorm, have debates/discussions, and work as a team. Independent study is also important

and I will do my best to make my classroom a fun and competitive environment. I would like to

foster all three forms of interactions but will primarily emphasize on furthering cooperative

interdependence. How I will approach student learning is by assessing everyone at the beginning

of the year to see which grade level they are at. I would then like to place them in groups

ensuring that there is a student at each level in each group.

I am a Mexican American and I do believe that will help me connect with my students,

especially here in Las Vegas or in the school I want to teach which is the same school I attended

as a little girl. Most of the population there is Hispanic and I know they will feel more

comfortable with someone who looks like them and who also is able to speak the same language

as them fluently.

To become a certified teacher in Nevada I will need to fulfill these requirements:

complete a bachelor's degree and other prerequisite coursework required, complete a

state-approved teacher preparation program, pass required exams and lastly submit a Nevada

teaching credential application. Right now CSN provides us with Praxis preparation modules

which are extremely helpful. I know that math is not my strongest area therefore I will need to

get a tutor in order to keep up with the requirements and make sure I pass my exams. I am

currently volunteering at the elementary school I did my field observation at on my days off and
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will continue to do so until I am able to substitute. I am also looking into working for CCSD as

support staff but I have not heard back from them yet.
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References

Parkway, F. W. (2018). ​Becoming a Teacher​ (11th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.