Artifact #3

Philosophy of Education

Gordon L. Knighton III

Department of Education
EDU 201, Introduction To Primary Education
Susan Bridges
December 7, 2021
 My journey is only the beginning and my philosophy for education, while based on

my experience as a student, is still just in its infancy. In order to understand my

philosophy we first need to look at why I am here and what I plan to do.

There are many reasons I would like to become a special education teacher. First, I

have a strong passion for helping people. I am at my happiest when I feel I am making a

difference in someone's life. Being a Special Ed teacher would give me the opportunity

to give back to the community while helping others, without getting in the way of my

ability to put food on the table.   

I have adhd, autism, and aphantasia all of which I received little help and no

accommodations for. Growing up I didn't understand how my neurodivergence worked. I

kept trying to hold myself to unreasonable standards without understanding the proper

tools that would help me get there. As a student I often lacked proper strategies to

succeed and barely found myself passing classes at times, I didn't even manage that.

Behaviorally I was a fine student but academically I was a problem.

It is my intention to do what I can to make sure more children  receive  the assistance

and the understanding of self that I lacked as a child. As a child and fledgling adult,

even now I feel like my difficulties are not understood by my peers and those instructing

or leading me, however I want to provide that for others. I want to help children be able
to learn how to understand their needs and then express those needs to those around

them in ways that they are understood. That way these Nerodivergent kids can grow up

feeling not like they are broken, but understand that they are just a different type of

normal. European style plugs may not work in America without an adapter but it is

certainly not broken.

My teaching Philosophy at this time is mostly a combination of perennialist and

progressive. I believe  the foundation of knowledge lies in facts. Both knowing things

and understanding  them as well as knowing how to find the information you need. In

modern  society  we always have access to the internet and as such it isn't as important

to have every aspect of every subject memorized however general  knowledge  is

required  in order to do the research to find that information. 

      However I find that the power of interest is a fundamental part of learning to

understand  research and about learning to filter information. As well as building a

connection  with the students and showing that their teacher isn't just some out of touch

book that is taking them from page 1 - 100 without adjusting to the students

needs. While these two archetypes may create the bulk of my philosophy, small facets 

of others are likely to bleed in. Additionally  as I stand in front of a classroom day after

day I may learn that everything I thought about teaching was wrong and adjustments

are necessary.

If I am to be a good teacher there are a few things I'm going to have to learn. I need

to learn to be more confident in the words that I say when instructing people. I have a.
Tendency to be hesitant to speak until doing copious amounts of research. I also will

have to become less of a push over. My caring personality tends to allow others to walk

all over me.

I am not starting completely from the beginning though when it comes to becoming

a teacher. I have a calm mentality that strives to help others reach their potential. As

well as experience that also helps me to understand those with unique mindsets and

support needs. I have been where many of these kids are, and mental health is a

special interest of mine. That being said, I will research the traits I don't share and will

find the best possible avenue for progress.