PHILOSOPHICAL IDEAS FOR THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION BY ZARA

Zara Richardson
richardsonzc@hbu.edu
Houston Christian University
ETEC 5306
January 22, 2023
Dr. Justin Burris
 Philosophy of Education

The classroom should be a safe learning environment where students are valued as part of

a community and gain knowledge of how to be a productive citizen. It is essential to give

students a place to express themselves and practice autonomy of their own learning. Effective

classroom management and communication is the cornerstone of any effective, highly

functioning classroom. Students should be provided with various modes of instructional delivery

and a variety of assessments to give each student an equal opportunity to succeed.

I believe all students are unique and can contribute to a school campus in their own

individual ways. I encourage diversity because I believe in celebrating different cultures and

values. Supporting a student population with different backgrounds and perspectives encourages

students to broaden their levels of thinking and better prepare for the future. I believe students all

deserve equal opportunities in education regardless of their social-economic status or biological

backgrounds. I encourage diversity in the student population and the classroom because I believe

discussing and studying different ideas will encourage students to think more critically. I will

encourage ELA learners to grow and develop in both languages. I believe that engaging students

in their work with a high level of attention is my responsibility as an educator. It is important that

the curriculum is centered around engaging students at high cognitive levels. I believe that it is

important to develop ideas concerning curriculum and classroom instruction from other

resources who may already be successful in these areas.

The best classroom environment is an equal balance of strict expectations and leniency.

It’s important to establish expectations and procedures throughout the first week of school and to

continue reinforcing these expectations all year. Classroom expectations can be established with

the students. Students will come up with rules for the classroom, and the students and I will work
together to condense their ideas and make the rules positive. This process gives students

ownership over their own rules and expectations. The classroom will be a friendly environment

where students will feel comfortable and connected to their peers. The classroom will be a place

where students can share their ideas and develop innovations. The physical layout of the

classroom will have students sitting in groups of 2 to 6 because group seating builds community

and encourages students to share ideas with a partner during “turn and talk” or class discussion.

Students will feel free to express themselves and communicate freely at appropriate times;

however, students should provide each other and the instructor with respect. This will result in a

classroom with high expectations in place, mutual respect, and a welcoming environment.

I believe education should be centered on the needs of the learner. From my experience,

lack of time can hinder the ability of an educator to reach each student; therefore, it is essential to

plan ahead in detail and to be flexible in different situations. My goal as a teacher is to prepare

the hearts and minds of students to be lifelong learners and productive citizens. I hope to instill a

passion and internal motivation in students for learning and personal growth. Another goal is to

serve the students through remediation or acceleration because they deserve the best education so

they can succeed. I believe student performance should not solely be determined by standardized

tests because that results in “teaching to the test”. Instead, students should be encouraged to be

engaged, practice critical thinking, enjoy learning, and prepare to be a high functioning member

of society. I will adhere to the required educational standards while enhancing content with

additional resources.

As an educator, I will treat each student fairly and allow every student an equal

opportunity to succeed in the classroom. I believe in equality in all instruction. I will address all

accommodations for students including employing the Response to Intervention (RTI) process if
a student is in remediation. My goal is for all students to leave my classroom functioning at a

higher cognitive level and with a greater understanding of the content. I believe in

learner-centered education which focuses on the needs of the students. I highly encourage strong

parental involvement. In addition, I will strive to make sure students have their growth needs met

so they can reach their highest level of academic achievement in the classroom.

Challenges may arise in the future; however, abiding by these core beliefs will allow me

to tackle obstacles that may arise. As an educator, it is my goal to continue learning every day

and to use my knowledge and experiences to continue growing alongside my students.