Running head: PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

Philosophy of Education
Courtney McCoy
Wesleyan College

Author Note
This paper was prepared for Education 201, taught by Professor Hamm.

Running head: PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

Education is the only field possible in which it makes any other career possible. Teachers
have the opportunity to change students lives and future every day. Though this may be an
adventurous experience, teaching young minds is a task that cannot be taken lightly. It is full of
challenges, frustrations, and responsibilities; however, it is a task that is also full of excitement,
wonder, and joy, as well. I strongly believe that all children are capable of learning with the
proper motivation and direction from their teachers. William Yeats captured this exhilaration of
teaching when he wrote (2002), Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.
My goal as a teacher is to ignite in my learners a passion to create a learning environment that
fosters a conflagration of educational experimentation and innovation. This influence is
conveyed through a teachers philosophy, according to that teachers preferences and beliefs
about teaching. Personally, I advocate the pragmatism philosophy with a creative approach to
teaching and learning because it focuses on the needs of the students in developing real world
functioning skills. Progressivism, as put forth by John Dewey, is very pragmatic and scientific in
the way students approach learning (Sadker & Sadker, 2008). In essence, progressive education
is learning through living. In living, we are constantly confronted with changes and
challenges, therefore, my longing is to prepare the youth on how to manage these altercations.
This way of thinking can be analogized to a recipe that should be served in all schools. Although
each philosophy has its own recipe for educating students, I believe that the recipe of
progressivism, which includes three main ingredients: a hardworking teacher, a motivated
student, and encouraging classroom, will blend together in creating a successful individual that is
prepared for all present and future challenges of life.
The metaphor of a teacher as a facilitator best exemplifies the role of a progressivist. A
teachers main duty is to serve as a guide, in helping to assist and not dominate the students

Running head: PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

opportunity to learn. In order to effectively teach our children today, teachers must have a goal in
mind as to how best to reach them. A progressive teacher should not think of themselves as a
math or a music teacher, but as a teacher of the youth. This mind set is significant, as a way for
teachers to not present themselves as a subject matter expert whose job is to pass along what
they know, but as a role model, instead. In recent years, I have been fortunate to become a
childrens Sunday school teacher at my church. Considering all different age groups and
backgrounds, it was very problematic in trying to incorporate an instructional method that
everyone would enjoy. From reciting scriptures out the bible, to lecturing about significant
events that occurred, I began to realize that the children were not attaining much information. I
then had to evaluate my role as a teacher, and understand that maybe this approach was not
effective for this group. As I revised my strategies, I created lesson plans with using games,
group work, and field trips to historical sites, and even having them to teach me about stories
from the bible. I embrace progressive learning with a creative approach because not only does
the students learn, but the teacher gain insight as well. As shown in the video, Progressivism in
Education, explains how in progressivist classrooms you would rarely see teachers standing in
front of the class, but rather migrating around the room (2013). The teachers and students are put
on a level playing field in which both are equal and able to learn from one another. If students are
not able to think for themselves, then their future success in life is uncertain.
All students want to learn and be successful, but unfortunately many have a hard time
retaining information, which can thwart their growth. I, myself, struggled to comprehend the
body of material when I was in school at a younger age. No matter how hard I tried studying, it
never worked out in my favor. As a child, I was always told what to learn, how to learn it, and
how well I learned the material. Whether by a lecture, or a PowerPoint, though commonly

Running head: PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

viewed as the quickest and easiest way to impart knowledge and skills, many students all began
to realize that it was not the most effective approach. Later, my teachers incorporated group
projects to present in front of the class. Many of us was shy at first, but then we eventually ended
up learning and having fun, simultaneously. For example, one assignment was that each student
was given a country and was instructed to present it in a creative way. I chose to write a song and
as a result everyone learned the song and not even realizing that they learned important facts as
well. Many believe that a student needs structure in order to succeed, but I believe real learning
requires doing. Being left on my own, I had to take responsibility and push myself to complete
deadlines and assignments. The student should be responsible for their own success in the
learning process and be treated as contributors to the curriculum. One of the aims of
progressivism is to educate individuals according to their interests and needs. In agreement with
this principle, I strongly support a curriculum that appeals to different learners. Although every
student may not express the same interest in the basic curriculum, I still feel this is important. I
believe that not only do students need to have an understanding of the subject matter necessary to
succeed in life, but also be able to think and reason for themselves. According to progressivism,
students learn best from experience. Schools should be a place where students learn and a place
where they desire to go. The needs and interests of the students should enhance a learning
environment where they can express themselves and learn about the world around them.
When implemented into my future classroom, the progressive instructional method will
equip fourth grade students for real world situations. The school should mimic the democratic
society itself. To best prepare students on how to operate in this democracy, the school should
encourage cooperation, not competition, and develop problem-solving and decision making
skills (Jordan, Metha, & Webb, 2000, p. 74). Progressivism embraces the idea that students

Running head: PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

learn by doing, which provide students with many opportunities and experiences. Unlike
progressivism, traditional education never relates to ideas and exposures, and due to this reason,
many students have a difficult time understanding the taught lessons. Teachers should spend less
time lecturing and more time allowing students to work together in groups, challenging one
another and bouncing ideas off of each other. The atmosphere of the classroom would be active,
experience directed, and self-directed (Dewey, 1956). The needs and interests of the students
should reflect in each lesson and activity, thus providing the opportunity for the students to
connect and identify with their peers. Progressivism advocates no prescribed curriculum. Since
there are no standards to abide by, the most appropriate instructional method will include group
work/projects. This models real life, in that students learn to work together to come up with a
common solution, rather than having the teacher deposit information into their brains (Freire,
2001). Many field trips should be scheduled, which allow the students to see and do things rather
than read about them in books. This method is a great way for students to learn problem solving
and develop critical thinking skills, in which it allows the individual's brain to develop, while
learning becomes easier. These methods will not only teach student valuable skills, but also play
a fun opportunity for students that can be used for the rest of their lives.
Although each philosophy has special ingredients that are effective in teaching students
in different ways, I believe that the philosophy of progressivism is an ongoing recipe that can be
passed down from generation-to-generation. This philosophy is sufficient as it is a way thinking
outside the box and knowing how to go above and beyond. By using progressivism, as a role of a
teacher, my personal goal is to provide my students with the opportunity to become effective
thinkers who are able to make decisions and solve problems. As for the experience of the learner,
I hope to instill in my students to be evolving and active beings capable of working together to

Running head: PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

solve common problems. With the experience of my overall classroom, I plan to incorporate
cooperative learning and experience-centered activities to allow my students to learn on a whole
different level and think outside the walls of the classroom. Using these different aspects of
progressivism, I am able to formulate a teaching philosophy of my own. It is with this
philosophy that I strive to become a successful professional with the power to influence lives.
Education consists mainly of what we have unlearned. So one should never stop learning,
because life never stops teaching!

References

Running head: PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

Cohen, L. (1999). PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES IN EDUCATION. Retrieved February
29, 2016.
Freire, P. (2001). The 'Banking' Concept of Education. Pedagogy of the Oppressed. New York:
Continuum.
Mead, W. (2002, May). William Butler Yeats. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
Progressivism in Education. (2013, May 06). Retrieved February 29, 2016.
Sadker, M. P., Sadker, D. M. (2008). Teachers, Schools, and Society. 8th Ed. Boston: McGraw
Hill.
Webb, L. D., Metha, A., & Jordan, K. F. (2000). Foundations of American education. Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Merrill.