PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

Meghan Glassey
LBS 400
Philosophy of Education
Dec 4, 2014
Pages: 5

PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

Philosophy of Education
Purpose of education
From early on in our lives, we have been told that the key to success is through
education. There for we make education available at no cost, so that all children have the
equal opportunity to succeed in life. I believe the purpose of education is to give each
student the opportunity to have a well rounded and stimulating atmosphere, the
understanding of their commitment as citizens, the correct curriculum to guide them
through life, and a teacher who cares and is able to support them in every way possible.

Learning environment
I believe that the learning environment is one of the most important ways a child
learns. My classroom must be safe for each individual; physically, emotionally and
socially. Fleming & Younger (2012) state, some suggestions for creating a positive
classroom environment includes: starting the year with high expectations, encouraging
student involvement, making the class visually appealing, getting parents involved and
using effective praise and effective feedback. If these are used on a daily basis with my
students I know they will thrive. Being able to have a learning environment that is
creative and fun will help the students want to be in school and understand the
importance of it. For example in my classroom, I will have chalkboards or white boards
for my students so they can be creative as they feel they need to be. I have been in some
classrooms that are full of life and it allows students to feel comfortable with learning and
encourages their involvement in activities with their peers as well as in class. I want my
students to know I care about them. During my student teaching at Birney Elementary

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School my teacher really showed me things that children like to do. After they were
finished with their work, they were allowed to have free play, which is important because
they learn to play with each other. The items in which they were allowed to play with
were helping them develop their fine motor skills.

Commitment to social justice

Students should be given the equal opportunity to learn. Teachers should be able
to understand various backgrounds and cultures. Teachers must know that everyone
learns at a different pace and be able to help each student individually if needed.
According to the Forum on Educational Accountability (2011), We must close the gap
between low-income schools and those schools who are more fortunate to guarantee the
necessary conditions to have a high quality education and the opportunity to learn for all
students (p.1). This means helping every student with the respect and equality they
deserve. I never thought I would be in the position to be teaching in a low-income
school. My elementary school was in a good area and had great teacher who cared.
Moving to Los Angeles has changed me, for the better. I now understand the diversity
among us. In order to close that gap between those school there must be teachers who
care and can give students everything they possibly can so every student has the equal
opportunity to learn. I was an intern at a preschool on Compton for a year, and I was
fortunate to have the opportunity to see learning in a different light. Because of that
school, I will do my best to let every student know they can count on me to give them the
best education with the best resources possible.

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Curriculum
Dana, Burns, and Wolkenhaur (2013), state, Currently, forty-five states, the
District of Columbia, Four territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity
have adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). For these states, the Common
Core makes up 85% of the content of their states individual standards (p.3). We can see
that most all of the United States has taken on the Common Core. These standards are
making an effort to focus on literacy, math, speaking and listening. I believe the common
core will help dramatically in the near future. Although teachers must teach the same
material at the same time, we now have the ability to be creative and help our students
plan for the future. Common Core is important because it will create consistency in the
educational system for students and teachers and gives teachers an opportunity to
collaborate with other schools outside of their state (Dana, burns, & Wolkenhaur, 2012,
p. 5). Teachers will have better resources due to collaboration and we can finally be able
to lean on each other when we need it. Common Core may take a few years to get
comfortable with, but in time I do believe it will be beneficial for the teachers and the
students.

Teacher
The role of teaching is not just getting up everyday and going into your classroom
and teaching the students what is on the schedule for that day, it has a much deeper
meaning. Teachers play such an important role in our lives. They help shape us to what
we will grow up to be, or they can easily deter us from wanting anything to do with
education. They can make education fun and exciting or they can make us believe that

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there is nothing fun about learning. I can agree with both sides. For example, the reason I
want to become a teacher is because of my second grade teacher. I was just eight years
old when I discovered I want to educate. I love opening the mind of people and teaching
them something they didnt already know and I also have a go-getter bossy attitude that I
believe would make a great teacher and principal one day. On the other hand, I have had
professors who make going to class an un-educating experience because they simply just
dont care. I believe it is my duty to teach my students to the best of my ability. I will
motivate and help them understand the importance of learning and prepare them for their
future what ever that may be. I want my students to know its okay to struggle and
disagree with something, or get lost in thought, but in the end if they want to go to
college and fulfill their dreams, then I will help them get there. Being a teacher is
personal and it takes someone who wants to get personal with his or her students no
matter the age to take on that role, and I am ready.

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2
Works Cited

Forum on Education Accountability. (2011, February). All Children Deserve the

Opportunity To Learn. Website: www.edaccountability.org
In-text reference: (Forum on Educational Accountability, 2011)
Dana, N. F., Burns, J. B., & Wolkenhauer, R. (2013). Inquiring into the Common Core,
(3,5).
Wilson-fleming, L. & Wilson-Younger, D. (2012). Positive classroom environments=
positive academic results. Website: eric.ed.gov pages: 5
In-text reference: Fleming & Younger (2012)