Running Head: PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

Personal Philosophy of Education Theresa Smith Azusa Pacific University

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

Personal Philosophy of Education It is important for every teacher to have a personal philosophy of education. In creating a personal philosophy of education, I have developed a clearer vision of what kind of classroom I would like to create, while at the same time aligning my actions to my personal belief system. I now feel that I have a well-defined concept of the kind of teacher I am striving to be, and that I am better able to focus on what is best for my students. Following is my personal philosophy of education. The Broad Goals of Education When considering the broad goals of education for both the individual and society, I feel it is important for every individual to learn basic skills, have a base of general knowledge, and be given the tools to reach his or her own personal potential. In order for an individual to be employable, he/she must possess those skills that are in demand in the new, global workplace. The broad goal of education for society is to be able to compete with the world workforce. For example, the United States will educate its population in the hopes of creating a workforce that is competitive with other countries in the world so that the country will survive, thrive, and maintain its prominent stature in the world. The Role of School in Society I believe the role of school in society is to meet the individual needs of every student while teaching basic academic and social skills. Schools should also help prepare those students who wish to pursue a higher education for college, while training those who wish to directly enter the workforce a marketable skill or trade.

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

The Role of Government in Education I envision government fiscally supporting education, while also ensuring that every person has a free basic education and also the option of pursuing a higher education. I dont believe that churches and/or religion have a direct responsibility for public education. I believe they have an indirect responsibility in encouraging parents to support their children and to make education a priority, which goes along with my philosophy about familiesfamilies should make education a priority within their homes. The Role of Business in Education I believe business should support education by providing opportunities for their employees to complete or further their education, and that could be by doing something as simple as providing a flexible schedule that allows employees attend school or to take some classes, or that could be going as far as offering tuition assistance. I believe businesses should also prioritize supporting local schools by making donations in the form of prizes for students who receive awards, or offering fundraising opportunities, like school nights where a portion of proceeds on a certain day go towards local schools. The Student The student should be the top priority of administration and teachers. Every student has the right to a quality, free, and appropriate education provided by knowledgeable teachers who truly care. Each student is a unique individual with distinctive talents that should be nurtured and needs that should be addressed. Students need structure, opportunities to share and collaborate, and a rigorous curriculum that prepares them to compete and succeed in todays demanding job market and/or higher education.

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

My hope for each student is that he/she reaches his or her personal potential and becomes an active asset to, and contributing member of, his or her community and country. I believe it should be a priority of every teacher to help each student discover his or her personal academic and creative gifts and to assist students with finding a way to share his or her special gifts with the world in a way that also allows them to support themselves and their families. The Role of the Student It is the students responsibility to value the education that is offered to him/her. Students must be committed to attending school on time, every day. It is the students responsibility to always do their absolute best on each and every task, and their absolute best will vary by day, by task, by minute, depending on their individual circumstances. Students learn by doing, and so they must be conscientious in their efforts to reach their own personal potential. The Role of the Teacher I view the role of the teacher as a role model and guide. The teachers behavior should be a model for the students behavior. The teacher should not simply lecture but instead should guide the students in active and collaborative learning. Teachers should lead the students toward educational independence, where they are eventually able to seek out and discover answers to their questions on their own. The Curriculum The teacher should of course teach the applicable state or national standards for their subject matter(s). However, I feel the primary responsibility of the teacher is to create a learning environment in which students feel physically and emotionally safe. According to DeLucciaReinstein (n.d.), school is the largest social component in a childs life and therefore, shaping a

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childs social development falls on the teacher. I will consciously promote some basic values in my classroom, such as the basics of good citizenship and the concept of the golden rule. For the subject I teach, secondary English Language Arts, I believe that first and foremost students should be taught to read and comprehend non-fiction documents, such as news articles and workplace documents. This is a basic skill needed to function in life. The English curriculum should also include a combination of the classics and modern literature. Students should have a basic knowledge of influential literature and authors from all the major literary periods, but we should also infuse more modern works that will capture the interest of students and engage them in their reading and learning. Literature should include fiction, drama, and poetry. Students should be taught the major literary and poetic devices, as well as the elements of drama. Writing should also take center stage, and students should know the basics of the mechanics of English. They should also be familiar with the stages of the writing process, and how to organize an essay. I believe that very general curriculum guidelines should be created by a panel of experts in each state. Each district should further provide broad curriculum guidelines for their teachers to follow. However, teachers should be given some freedom to make choices within those broad guidelines. There should be some options so that teachers can choose curriculum that is right for their particular students and so they are able to meet their students where they are as far as academic ability. Teaching Style I think my teaching style is a combination of Essentialism and Progressivism. As an Essentialist, I believe students should be taught a common core of knowledge (Cohen 1999), and I believe schools should maintain high academic and moral standards. However, as a

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

Progressivist, I also believe in focusing on the whole child, and that learning should be active (Cohen 1999). Although these two styles seem to be contradictory, I think that together they create in me a balance that enables me to create an active classroom with high expectations. Classroom Organization and Layout My classroom organization and layout is flexible and allows for what I regard to be very important in the classroomcollaboration. I have individual desks and chairs so students can organize themselves into pairs and/or groups as necessary. My classroom management reflects my beliefs in fairness and equality. One of the most important features a classroom/teacher can offer is safetyboth physical and emotional. Students need to feel comfortable and at ease in the classroom while still maintaining respect for the teacher and the learning experiences. Discipline Philosophy In order for a discipline plan to work, rules and expectations must be clearly posted, and consequences must be consistently and equally applied. Rules and expectations should be openly discussed with students from the beginning of the school year so they have the opportunity to ask questions and clarify any misinterpretations. Parents play a vital role in maintaining discipline in the classroom. There should be open communication among teacher, parent, and student. Measuring Student Progress Measuring student progress is a massive undertaking for any teacher, yet it is a vital part of evaluating not only the student, but the effectiveness of my own teaching practices. Of course I report marks (in the form of a letter grade) periodically in the progress reports and report cards required by my district. I also provide frequent, informal verbal feedback to students on a daily

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basis. More formal evaluative tools, such as rubrics, are regularly used. Peer feedback is also an effective way for students to receive constructive criticism and praise. Conclusion In conclusion, it is essential for a teacher to develop a personal philosophy of education. Developing my personal philosophy of education allows me to reflect on my personal belief system and how I can effectively incorporate it into my classroom in a way that enhances my students educational experience. The challenge is finding the balance between what I believe is right and meeting my students academic and social needs, and where I find that balance is where I find great fulfillment in my work.

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

References Angeli, E., Wagner, J., Lawrick, E., Moore, K., Anderson, M., Soderlund, L., & Brizee, A. (2010). General format. Retrieved from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ Cohen, L. (1999). Educational philosophies. Retrieved from http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/ed416/PP3.html DeLuccia-Reinstein, R. (n.d.) What is the role of teachers in education? Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/about_6509642_role-teachers-education_.html#page=0 Philosophy of education. (2005). Retrieved from http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072877723/student_view0/chapter9/