My Education Philosophy (in a nutshell):
Wonder, work together, and figure it out.
To influence and shape the growth and development of a child
is a significant responsibility. The impact, whether positive or negative,
contributes to the long term growth and development of our democratic society
as a whole. Educating children is to prepare them with the gifts of knowledge, creativity,
and critical thinking skills so they may take on an active and informed role in
a future, democratic, and global society.
All students can learn. Students enter school with different
backgrounds, values, tendencies, disabilities, and group learning experiences,
but all have the capacity to learn and achieve. Educators must strive to
foster a growth mindset through a combination of self-guided exploration, interactive modeling and direct instruction. The Responsive Classroom
approach to classroom management is one model that is effective in creating an
optimal learning environment for students, because it emphasizes the value of
each person, gives students a voice in the governence of their learning, and
holds them accountable through personal reflection, rather than authoritarian
rule.
Students need to move and touch and hear what they are
learning. In order to truly absorb new knowledge and skills, an emotional
connection and interest needs to be established during the learning process.
Teacher-directed learning is a piece of the learning process, but should not be
the only approach. Providing students the opportunities of inquiry, tactile
exploration, collaborative group work, and the ability to pursue further
discovery where their interests lie, with teacher guidance and assistance, is
imperative for optimal academic growth. Intentional lesson planning and
teaching, with an emphasis on critical thinking, is an essential piece of education. Technology can greatly enhance the
learning process, yet it is important for teachers to ensure the incorporation of technology has a purpose and reason for it's use. The utilization of technology must be intentional, and
for the objective of bolstering peer collaboration and critical thinking opportunities.
Measuring a student’s development must be included in one’s
intentional teaching pedagogy. Tracking progress via the collection of data
provides actual proof of progress and deficiencies. Technology can increase the
ease of data collection and analysis to track student progress.
Recognizing the potential and value of collaborative
learning, respecting one's peers, taking chances and making mistakes to advance
one's learning, and attending class as an active participant demonstrates that one has accepted and embraced their role of student. Once students grasp
and embrace their role as individual learners and contributing members of a
larger community, they are prepared to progress through the graded education
system.
The responsibility of a teacher is immense, yet incredibly
worthwhile. Devoting time, passion, and intentional, thoughtful effort to the
teaching profession is necessary to truly bring about success. An educator is not a lecturer, nor a sheep-herder, but an informed guide and cheerleader for young minds. Education is not
a career to take lightly, as the resulting “product” is vital to the progress
and growth of our global society. Recognizing the student as an individual,
establishing and fostering relationships with them and amongst their peers, and discovering and meeting
the needs of their emotional-being and personal learning style doesn’t just
benefit the student; it benefits us all.
Resources:
Gutmann, A. (2003). The Authority and Responsibility to Educate. A Companion to the Philosophy of Education. 397-411.
Kohn, A. (1991). Caring Kids: The Role of Schools. Phi Delta Kappan, 72 (7). 496-506.
Online:
Gutmann, A. (2003). The Authority and Responsibility to Educate. A Companion to the Philosophy of Education. 397-411.
Kohn, A. (1991). Caring Kids: The Role of Schools. Phi Delta Kappan, 72 (7). 496-506.
Online:
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