Annaka Cieri

Philosophy of Education
“Education is about learning, teaching, and knowing, but I think the
most important piece of it is inspiring curiosity.”
Hank Green

It is my personal philosophy that education is the most instrumental tool in

creating a functioning society. Humans are meant to learn and gain new
knowledge, and use it to improve the world around them. My educational
philosophy is to provide the necessary academic structure for each student to
successfully and confidently inquire about academic information and translate it
to real-life scenarios or societal issues. I believe teaching can be a highly
rewarding profession in this regard; as through learning students also have the
opportunity to grow their character while building necessary skills. Above all, I
believe in inspiring students so they may continue to strive to learn for the rest of
their lives.

My desire to become a teacher comes from an instinct and passion for sharing the
knowledge I have learned. I love seeing a concept click for students just as it did
for me. Teaching is a noble career as it directly affects and changes the lives of
others, and I strongly believe in becoming a teacher whose students strive to be
the change they want to see.

I would describe my teaching style as focused on student-centered philosophies,

blending multiple types to enrich the student's learning experience and
engagement. When preparing lesson plans I make sure to leave room for
classroom discussion sessions, differentiated instruction, real-world applications,
and cooperative learning strategies to increase students’ critical and logistical
thinking skills. I also believe in incorporating interactive activities to strengthen
and reinforce content learned, using different mediums such as technology, art,
group work, etc. As a teacher, I am very respectful of my student’s time and work
ethic, and in turn, I expect the same amount of respect demonstrated back. I also
have a true passion for learning and the information I teach to my students and I
believe that enthusiasm translates to them as well.

I do not believe any student is dumb, nor do I believe anything is “common

1
knowledge.” No student is born knowing everything and school is about safely
gaining experiences and the critical thinking skills necessary to be a successful
member of society. I understand many students are underprivileged or have
many roadblocks preventing them from being involved in their education fully
and it is my mission as a teacher to especially reach out to those students and
make sure to encourage them both in their confidence and their academic work.
Although there is a limit to what a teacher can do for their students I can at least
make sure they have a snack provided to them (at my cost) so they don't go
hungry under my care. I also believe in positive reinforcement and rewards and
try to allow my students access to guidance and a safe environment to learn.

I hope to show students that they have people who care for not their grades but
for their character and growth. I wish to inspire them to think of education in not
just an academic sense but a creative and nurturing one as well. I hope that
through my teaching my students question the world around them, and learn
how to discover those answers for themselves. I have a talent for building
meaningful relationships with my students so they are determined to be the best
they can be. To conclude my education philosophy is to instill a passion,
inspiration, and curiosity for learning. I believe in investing not just logical
thinking but also ethical philosophies to cultivate an attitude of conviction in the
work my students do now and in the future.

I believe in an educational experience that focuses on the whole child, I believe

the learner is the problem solver and thinker who makes meaning through his or
her educational experience in physical or cultural context. It could be said that I
hope to incorporate a progressivism philosophy into my style, however, I believe
as teachers we can blend a multitude of philosophies to some extent, to enrich
the students’ wisdom and maturity. Expanding students' critical thought in the
fields of ethics and political philosophy can not only help them examine the
difference between right and wrong but question the very structures that dictate
such analysis.

Additionally, I hope to blend in social reconstructionism as another educational

philosophy as a way to improve the quality of all students' lives, by providing
them with social questions and quests that will address social inequities and how
to reconstruct society. I believe school is the ideal place to begin ameliorating

2
social problems and giving students an outlet to express such ideas can be a
valuable tool in developing not only knowledge but character as well. Which is
why I also hope to advocate student centered philosophies, with a less
authoritarian teaching style, less concerned for training the mind for rigorous
high stakes testing, but rather my teaching style hopes to be focused on
individualized needs. Prepping students for a changing future based on what
shaped it.

Teaching is a profession that encompasses not just my passion but desire to

motivate and encourage social change and a need for learning. Although there
proves to be many changes, teaching can be an inspirational tool that can inspire
the next generation into investing into their environment and society.