! Elise Young 10/12/12 Philosophy of Education ! Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

once wrote, Education must enable a man to become

more efcient, to achieve with increasing facility the legitimate goals of his life. As educators, our purpose is to open up the world to our students, assist them in choosing how they want to impact it, and subsequently help them develop the skills necessary to do so . It is crucial that children understand that they can truly do anything they want to in life and a quality education is the best avenue for reaching their goals. However, Dr. King goes on to say, We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character--that is the goal of true education. Although the acquisition of knowledge is a major aspect of education, it is critical that teachers also set a prime example and demonstrate the importance of morality, etiquette, acceptance, and friendship. In order for our school systems to be successful, students and teachers not only have to assume their individual roles, but simultaneously work together to create a productive classroom environment. ! Personally, I identify most with Progressive philosophy, but I have several

principles in common with Existentialism. This is because both philosophies are consistent with my beliefs that teaching should be student-centered. In my classroom, I will direct my instruction toward the whole child and take students interests into account. Children are more likely to retain information if they are interested in the material and can apply it to their daily lives. My students will have numerous opportunities to be actively involved in their own learning and will have options about what they want to study and how they want to approach an assignment. Giving students this freedom allows them to develop critical thinking skills and showcase their strengths. Furthermore, my classroom will be structured around cooperative groups. I consider heterogeneous table groups to be most benecial because the students come from

! different backgrounds and have had varying experiences, and can therefore present diverse perspectives. In their groups, students will be encouraged to discuss classwork, exchange ideas, and continuously learn from each other throughout the year. Therefore the role of the student is to actively participate in his own learning, make decisions about how to demonstrate his knowledge, apply academics to everyday life, and to trade ideas with his classmates. ! A teacher acts as a role model, facilitator, evaluator, disciplinarian, communicator,

mediator and counselor each and every day. As an educator, it is my responsibility to relate educational material to students lives and leave them to make their own connections. In order to keep my students engaged, I will incorporate technology and present activities that are stimulating, challenging, and will motivate students to employ higher-order thinking. Additionally, I will accept diversity in the classroom and adapt lessons accordingly, connect with students on a personal level, and provide them with a safe environment. I anticipate my classroom will be a melting pot, therefore I will embrace everyones unique qualities and simultaneously set an example for my students. My personal goal is to make my classroom feel like a home a way from home, and for my students and I to join together as a family. I expect children will behave better if they are in a secure environment and feel accepted by their peers. I know that my approach will not prevent all discipline issues, however I believe that it will keep them limited. When I encounter an indiscretion, I will initially give the student a warning, make them aware of the behavior, and give them an opportunity to correct it. If the behavior continues, I will enforce disciplinary procedures. I believe private meetings are the best way to handle discipline problems. During this time it is essential to maintain a soft disposition and be attentive to what the student has to say. There may be external factors that are causing the students misbehavior. Finally, I think students experience less stress when their instructor varies his/her method of assessment. Formal assessments often put a lot of pressure on students, therefore I intend to mainly give

! authentic assessments because they require students to verify what they can do. Portfolios and rubrics are both tools that I will use to assess my students. To conclude, it has become apparent to me that a teacher fullls multiple roles, and she carries a big responsibility in her classroom. Teachers are expected to build strong relationships and effectively communicate with parents and other members of the community. I will routinely contact parents throughout the year, whether it be through email, phone calls, or newsletters, because I understand the signicance of family involvement. Research has shown that parents have a major impact on their childs cognitive, language, social, and emotional development. Therefore, I will form a partnership with parents. I will apply several strategies that will almost ensure successful parent-teacher conferences. Before a conference, I will send invitations and reminders, examine student work, prepare an agenda, and design a welcoming environment. During the conference, I will discuss the students strengths and progress, actively listen, share ideas about family involvement, resolve any issues together, and schedule a follow up meeting. After the conference, I will continue to consistently contact parents. Furthermore, I want to be present in the community. In addition to my roles in the classroom, I will be an advocate for children and promote the importance of education among community members. Therefore, I think it is crucial that teachers use various tactics to successfully interact with families and the general public. My ideas regarding each facet of teaching join together to create my philosophy of education. After studying each aspect, I feel like I have a solid understanding of what effective teaching is. However, I look forward to continuing my professional growth and journey as a lifelong learner. I anticipate teaching will provide me with a great deal of satisfaction knowing that I made a difference in the lives of my students.