Tyler Hall

Liberal Studies 400-03

Professor Teri Abbott
24 February 2016
My Philosophy of Education
The purpose of education is to prepare a person with knowledge of modern society, so
that they may function and participate in it. We educate children so they may be informed of how
the world works. In my opinion if we are successful, then the child will be motivated to make
positive changes in their communities and homes. As a teacher I would want the children in my
classroom to feel like their voice matters, that being educated will only strengthen their actions
and perpetuate their goals. Jerome Bruner, John Dewey and Jean Piaget both have principles of
instruction that I find not only relevant, but essential in my philosophy of education. Philosophy
of education means more than just teaching children, but how the processes of teaching can truly
impact a child outside of the classroom.
Children learn best under conditions that reflect their culture, support learning at home,
and engage the child in the learning process. A learning environment should be open to all
questions and forms of learning and diverse enough so that it includes all backgrounds. John
Dewey and Jean Piaget support the notion that New learning needs to initially relate to students
lives and experiences. This is inseparable from learning in the classroom, teachers must realize

that when the children leave the classroom they encounter other people and experiences. Those
experiences should be able to be applied at school and vice versa. If the student can understand
that the learning environment in the classroom should reflect and support outside factors that can

include academics, they will feel well-rounded. I believe children learn best with support that
extends beyond the classroom to their family, home, and community.
Contingent upon the community it is critical you celebrate all cultures, and in
addition to that, provide a platform to learn about new, different cultures. The school has become
a common ground for all backgrounds to have access to the same resources. This shows that
social justice extends beyond racial and cultural minorities, but also for economic classes.
Families who are not wealthy, or able to have access to certain resources needed for schools must
be accommodated in the same way the cultural diversity is. Programs like breakfast at school or
computer labs are attempts to bridge the gap so that every student has the tools needed to
succeed in school.
I believe there should be an equal emphasis of all subjects taught in the
classroom: language arts, music, science, math, physical education, as well as projects that
promote giving back to the community. I take Jerome Bruners approach to how to teach: match
topic of instruction to student interests, students decide what and how to study, and they will use
the discovery learning approach. If students like what they are learning and have the option to
voice their opinion on how the subject is taught, it becomes less of a battle for the child to be
engaged in learning. Reading and writing are successful tools when teaching, but they can make
the child feel stagnant. Practice them, but also incorporate other forms of teaching like songs,
making art, or group discussion that allows students to experience more than note-taking or silent
reading.
I believe effective teachers share the passion and responsibility to educate their
students, to expand their learning beyond the classroom. Teachers must accept that even though
we are teachers, we also are students; there is always more to be learned or perfected. Taking

this approach allows room for critique and strategies that develop our profession and person. It is
not an easy job being an educator, especially to elementary aged children who are building their
base of knowledge. We take on a lot of roles (and blame) for how a child will behave in society
as adults, but it is rewarding to be a part of the experience of crafting a person. It is an innate
quality for teachers to help, encourage, and be a part of a childs potential. My philosophy of
education holds that quality, and will hopefully positively affect at least one persons life.