Running head: EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

My Educational Philosophy as a Future Teacher

Robert Schroeder
Salt Lake Community College

Running head: EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

Its important for all educators to know what theyre personal philosophies are in
terms of education. Its funny how every one has a philosophy, without knowing the
names of the philosophies. This means that we all have our own inherent beliefs about
how education should be dealt with.
These philosophies are as follows, perennialism this primarily focuses on long
lasting ideas. It depends on frequent assessment, feed back and structure. Next is
essentialism the core of this is basic knowledge and skills. The controlling factors of this
philosophy are again high structure focus on essential skills and feed back. Then
progressivism, the key factors are problem solving, and decision-making. This relies
heavily on cooperation, ongoing informal assessment and its the learners responsibility
to learn. And lastly social reconstructionism, this basically says education should be at
the forefront of social change. (Kauchak & Eggren, 2013, p. 161)
When I took the quiz Examining Your Beliefs (Kauchak & Eggren, 2013, p.
161) I didnt at first believe what I read. According to my answers my philosophies
should be primarily progressivism, which I found weird at first. My secondary was
perennalism. When I went back and looked over the definitions it made sense. I think that
learning should primarily focus on skills that will prepare you for your life outside of
school. My personal goals are to graduate and get a good job, as a teacher, and to use
what Ive learned as a student. Dont think that superfluous classes are necessary.
Perenneialism is also good because I believe in enduring ideas, not all but the majority of
those ideas I believe to be valuable. I personally think the two are an odd mix because
they seem to conflict. The third one I am not going to write about in this essay is
essentialism.
My plan for being a teacher is going to be upper grades elementary. For the
progressive side I would create an activity for how we can use math in our every day
lives. Like give them a problem to work on as a group: youre supposed to help your Dad
fill up a 20-gallon dunking tank for a family party, there is a hose too far away from the
house to sit there and fill it up straight. You have four containers a 2 gallon bucket, a 3.5
gallon bucket with no handle and a hole that will leak 2 gallons before you get to the
tank, a 5 gallon bucket that is almost too heavy to carry, and a 10 gallon bucket. Which
would take the least amount of time and trips to fill up the tank? Then after they came up
with their answers.
With the Perennialism I would have the students, in their groups again, do a
presentation about U.S. values Ill give them popular figures from our history. Like
Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Alexander Graham Bell.
In there presentation I will ask them, what their figures are best known for, and how they
can use what they are known for in there lives with their families and friends.
My plan between now and the time I get a job, and afterwards I am going to
utilize the philosophies of education, to better myself. I think that understanding these
philosophies are fundamental to being an effective teaching. Hopefully Ill be able to
utilize all the best aspects of the philosophes in a smooth effective manner.

Running head: EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

Running head: EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

References
Kauchak, D. P., & Eggren, P. D. (2013). Introduction to Teaching:
Becoming a Professional (5th ed.). Pearson.
Mathematics Grade 4 Core. (n.d.). Retrieved October 04, 2016, from
http://www.uen.org/core/core.do?courseNum=5140