Republic of the Philippines

SULTAN KUDARAT STATE UNIVERSITY

College of Teacher Education
ACCESS Campus, EJC Montilla, Tacurong

Name: Hanna Marie L. Payba

Year & Section: BSED English 4-B

Reflective Essay
Teachers do more than just teach facts; they shape students' minds and
characters. Ron Clark, an elementary school teacher, stands out for his unique
approach. His story shows a deep philosophy centered on believing in his students and
teaching values beyond the usual. This essay explores how Clarks’ teaching methods
and beliefs about rules, values, and his students create a powerful educational
experience.

Based on the movie, Ron Clark's teaching philosophy is unique as he avoids

strict rules and choices for negotiation and mutual respect, especially in challenging
situations. For instance, he uses chocolate milk as a reward system, which displays his
innovative and collaborative approach to promote positive behavior. This gives
importance to empathy more than utilizing traditional authoritarian methods. Moreover,
Ron challenges low expectations by promoting high standards. He believe that the
problem is not the kids. The problem is your expectations, encouraging big goals is
crucial because it creates a place where students want to go beyond what they think
they can do. This reflects a philosophy that sees education not just as information
transfer but also as a way to build confidence and resilience in students.

In addition, Ron Clark goes beyond regular teacher-student connections by

visiting students' homes to understand their challenges. He believes in every student's
potential. Calling Shameika a great student emphasize the importance of recognizing an
individual strengths despite societal biases. This approach reveals a teacher caring not
just about grades but also the overall well-being and potential of students that aligns
with a philosophy that sees education as a tool for empowerment and social change.

In conclusion, Ron Clark's teaching philosophy is all about transforming

education. I believe that one that made Ron Clark and exceptional teacher is that,
instead of strict rules, he believes in negotiating with students and setting high
expectations to push them beyond limits and by understanding each student's situation
and seeing their potential reflects a humanistic approach, which goes beyond just
classroom boundaries. Ron's philosophy values more than just test scores as it is about
shaping character and resilience. Through his story, Ron Clark encourages educators to
rethink their methods, promoting a teaching style with empathy, high expectations, and
a sincere belief in every student's potential.