Personal Philosophy of Teaching

I believe that education extends far beyond the classroom walls, and involves
many more people than students and teachers. People should be learning wherever
they go, and should continue learning long after they’ve graduated from high school or
college. Education isn’t something that can be quantified with tests or report cards, but
is instead something that people carry with them. It’s a survival pack for life, and some
people are better equipped in certain areas than in others. People with a solid education
are prepared for nearly anything, as they will be able to provide for their own physical,
emotional, and aesthetic needs.
Education is very important for a person to succeed in life. The purpose of
education is to prepare a student for life and to discover themselves. As a future
teacher, I hope to help students not only learn what is required but I hope to make them
want to discover more on their own. I want them to want to learn. As for the students, I
will only expect them to put forth their best efforts and try. Not everyone likes everything
and I would not expect someone to.
I believe that all children have the ability to learn and the right to a quality
education. All youths, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, and capabilities should have
the opportunity to learn from professional, well-informed teachers who are sophisticated
and knowledgeable, both in their area of expertise and life. Certainly, every child has
different learning styles and aptitudes; however, by having a personal relationship with
every student, a teacher can give each an equal chance of success. By recognizing
every student’s potential and having separate, individual goals for each, a teacher can
accommodate personal needs and abilities and encourage the pursuit of academic
aspirations.
Children are our future and it is up to us as educators to point them in the right
direction. I always enjoyed school and found it fun and exciting. As I got older, I only
remember the teacher’s that made a difference in my life. I want to be a teacher that
makes a difference in a child’s life. Whether it be as simple as a teacher, or advanced
as a father-figure, I will be their for the children.
There have been many teachers come and go in my life, but only a few really
stand out. The reason I want to teach is because of these few teachers that have touched
my life. A unique world of opportunity rests within an educational system. The ability to
influence minds is a wonderful thing. I don’t want to be one of those ordinary teachers
instead I want to become an exceptional teacher. I want to be the teacher that everyone
values. I understand that it will take a lot of hard work to become this type of teacher, but
I’m willing to do so. I hope to be a positive influence on my students. I want to be able to
motivate my students, and give them a full opportunity to learn. I wish for the students
who leave my classroom to have accomplished independence, knowledge, and self-
discipline. I think these three aspects are the aspects of an effective classroom
environment.
My philosophy of education as a future educator is a combination of essentialism
and progressivism. I feel that knowledge can be learned from a textbook, but I also want
my students to use other means of knowledge. I fell in certain times, I should be the
center of the classroom and other times, the students should be the center. Education is
about the students and I am there to guide them through their journey. I think it's
important to let children learn by exploring. By doing this, they choose what information
is important and should be retained. When it comes to learning, students should always
be in the center. The teachers are only there to mentor and improve upon a child's
skills. In my mind progressivism with a mix of essentialism is the best philosophy for me
to follow. I will be a teacher that is confident enough to listen and respond professionally
to questions and challenges from both parents and other members of faculty and
administration. If I can confidently carry on a two-way conversation, I will model the
same in the classroom. Confidence is achieved from a high degree of competency in
the knowledge of human growth, development, and learning. I will be able to apply
methods and strategies for dealing with children in all ways, not just academically.
Professional journals and books should be read consistently so that they can
understand, use, and talk about current knowledge and practice.
Children are unique and must have a stimulating educational environment where
they can grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. It is my desire to create
this type of atmosphere where students can meet their full potential. They have
something special that they can bring to their own education. I will assist my students to
express themselves and accept themselves for who they are, as well embrace the
differences of others and I will also provide a safe environment where students are
invited to share their ideas and take risks. I believe that a classroom should be a safe,
caring community where children are free to speak their mind and blossom and grow. I
will use strategies to ensure our classroom community will flourish, like the morning
meeting, positive vs. negative discipline, classroom jobs, and problem-solving skills.
I also have the beliefs that I do from my personal experiences, in school. I always
loved the teachers that I was able to connect with and I learned so much from them. It is
so much easier to learn in positive learning environment where you want to learn and
engage in the classroom. I also had the wonderful opportunity to intern for a
kindergarten teacher my senior year of high school. A lot of my teaching philosophies
that I believe was how she ran her classroom. She ran a very efficient classroom and
made sure the students were learning a lot. The kids loved her and were excited to be
there every day.
 I will transfer my beliefs into actions by having a positive relationship with all my
students. I will make sure my classroom is positive learning environment and the needs
of my students’ are met. I will teach my students to have good morals and to be good
students. I will use effective teaching strategies to make sure my students are learning
what they need to be. I will have my students work in groups sometimes to help them
understand the importance of working together. I will let them discover things on their
own. I will create situations where my students can build their own knowledge and not
just everything taught to them. I believe these are some of the most important things to
have to make a teacher and the students successful as a whole.
As a future educator, I have many goals. My first goal would be to never
overpower my students. Being a teacher should not be a job, it should be a passion. I
will focus my classroom around the student’s needs, rather than my own. The
classroom will revolve around the students. I will be their guiding hand through
education. Another goal of mine is to have the students interact in a positive way. Social
interaction is very important. As students combine with peers they share knowledge and
learn how to solve problems. In the real-world, this will happen.
I believe that a teacher is morally obligated to enter the classroom with only the
highest of expectations for each and every one of her students. Thus, the teacher
maximizes the positive benefits that naturally come along with any self-fulfilling
prophecy. With dedication, perseverance, and hard work, her students will rise to the
occasion. I aim to bring an open mind, a positive attitude, and high expectations to the
classroom each day. I believe that I owe it to my students, as well as the community, to
bring consistency, diligence, and warmth to my job in the hope that I can ultimately
inspire and encourage such traits in the children as well.
The roles of a teacher are so many and so varied that it is impossible to list them
all, but one of the most important is preparing students to learn, not only in the
classroom, but everywhere, and for the rest of their lives. However, teaching is a
process of learning from your students, colleagues, parents, and the community. This is
a lifelong process where you learn new strategies, new ideas, and new philosophies.
Over time, my educational philosophy may change, and that's okay. That just means
that I have grown and learned new things.
In choosing to become a teacher, I have made the commitment to myself and my
future students to be the best academic, personal, and ethical role model I can be. It is
my goal to have a mutually enriching teaching career by keeping an open mind and
continually communicating with my peers and students. I am prepared to rise to the
challenges of teaching in the 21st century, and I promise to try to provide an honest,
well-rounded education to every student I encounter.