My Philosophy of Education
I believe all students are capable of learning and that effective teachers can reach every student. Students should not be thought of as mindless individuals just waiting to be filled with knowledge by their teachers. Quite the opposite; students should be viewed as individuals who can contribute to the classroom, sharing and gaining knowledge from each other. Teachers should guide students not lecture them. An education is not solely academic; the teacher must also educate her students mentally by teaching them the skills needed to solve problems and socially by teaching them the skills needed to communicate and work productively with others. Students must be able to function in the real world which not only requires academic knowledge but social skills as well. I believe teachers should not be alone in educating students but that parents, families and communities need to work together to support and enrich the lives of their children, who are the future.
The purpose of education is to enable students to become successful in their lives. We all view success differently and often the way we measure success is shallow and unfair. Teachers need to consider what is important to their students, what really matters to them and what will be most useful to them in the real world. The teacher must mesh this with the content requirement, not always as easy task. But I believe effective teachers do this every day. I think an effective teacher relates all learning to the real world and by doing so makes learning concrete and meaningful to students.
Psychologists, Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky, who are both constructivists, agree that active learners and social interaction are important. They believe that learning should be guided rather than presented by teachers, and that a great deal of language and discussion should be used in the learning process. Group discussions are a great way to embrace multiple perspectives and teachers should create classrooms that encourage such discussions. Students should value their differences and feel comfortable sharing them with others without the fear of criticism.
Teachers need to use various methods/approaches in order to reach every student. I believe teachers who only use one method to teach should not be in the classroom. They obviously are not reaching all of their students because we know that not all students learn in the same way. Teachers must reach visual learners, auditory learners and kinesthetic learners. Varying methods of teaching will create an interesting and fun environment and will help all students succeed. I plan on using several different methods of teaching, including hands on, technology based, cooperative learning groups and group discussion. I do not like to lecture but would rather have a group discussion on the topic being taught. I think effective teachers can mesh important information into a group discussion and by doing so in such an informal manner, students may actually remember more of what is being taught because they have personally related it to themselves. I plan on keeping worksheets and tests to a minimum but I know that most schools heavily rely on them.
Just as I will vary my methods of teaching, I will also vary my methods of evaluating my students by using several different methods, such as, direct observation, journaling, and progress portfolios. My students will have options as far as the evaluating tool they would like me to use for assignments or projects. We will discuss as a class which method best fits the assignment. I think students who feel a part of the education process will be more open to learning compared to those who have no say in their education, their teacher’s methods, or their teacher’s evaluations. I strongly believe that teachers should guide their students in their learning, not force them to learn.
As a catalyst for educational change, I will strive to make these changes in my classroom. I will not lecture all day nor will I succumb to paper pushing. I will constantly evaluate my teaching and be open to change. A reflective teacher is an effective teacher! I will also keep up to date with technology. Computers can be a great tool in the classroom, but only if the teacher understands how to use them effectively. They should not be used as a reward but should be used as a part of the everyday classroom. Technology is here to stay but it is ever changing. I believe my philosophy promotes me as a teacher who is a catalyst for educational change.