Magana 1

Philosophy of Education

I believe in Essentialism, in a specific knowledge and skills that all people

should possess(Kauchak and Eggen 155), knowledge and understanding are crucial,
therefore teachers need learner centered approaches to instructions, integrated
curricula, and a focus on learner self-esteem.
I also believe in Social Reconstructionism, where schools, teachers, and students
should take the lead in addressing social problems and improving society (Kauchak
and Eggen 159). Schooling should be used to eliminate social inequities by creating a
new and more suitable society.
I believe in myself and I have faith in my abilities that every student who enters
in my classroom will be capable of learning and achieving at high standards. As a
teacher, it is my responsibility to guide and help students to reach the basic skill needed
to function in todays society. As a teacher I will persuade students to get the
knowledge and skills that are needed to contribute to the creation of a greater society.
I believe that as a teacher Ill maintain my energies to persuade my students to
acquire the communication skills, problem solving skills, and critical thinking skills,
which will contribute strength to many areas as students and citizens in a free society,
like evaluating information gather from observation, experience, reflection, reasoning
and communication in todays world. This is congruent to the philosophy of
progressivism (Kauchak and Eggen 157), which is defined as an educational philosophy
emphasizing real-world problem solving and individual development.
My responsibility as a teacher is to act as a role model to my students. I have the
power to influence the younger generation, help them set goals and work even harder
to make it happen, because work is the best chance for success. I will respect my
students by showing them patience, choosing to use self-control, wait instead of

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becoming tense, angry and overreact to a situation. I will create a safe-learning, fair,
honest, and confidante environment, where Ill work really hard as a team.
As a mentor, I have the obligation to provide an open mind and have only
highest expectations for each student in my classroom, but I believe that each student
has something every day to teach me, which establish an effective mutual learning
relationship. I can see myself focusing on accommodating different patterns and
building on lectures, discussions, projects and feedback on students.
I believe that all students regardless of the gender, social class, ethnic, racial or
cultural characteristics, deserve an equal opportunity to learn and a free education. I
believe that we, as teachers, parents and the community, have the ability to make this
happen.
I believe students learn best by collaborating and having discussions in an
interactive class where as a teacher, I will make each discussion fun and meaningful.
Also I believe that students learn best by having a strong focus on essential knowledge
and skills. Students should practice skills learning and I as teacher should provide
meaningful feedback to students. Students need objectives to guide their learning and
be motivated through class discussions. This will help them gain knowledge, which will
strengthen their future towards a better society.
As a teacher, Ill treat parents, students, colleagues, community and the system
with respect, because Respect for the rights of others is peace (Juarez). In addition, I
believe that working together as a team is the solution to many problems in todays
world.
Field experience provides me a diversity of placements; supportive supervision
and an experience that will challenge and help reaffirm what I learned in the classroom.
For example, exploring the art of teaching at the field experience give me the
opportunity to put in practice my philosophy of education, when I was in the classroom
I acted in the classroom as a role model, I treated them with respect and equal. I respect
my students, showing them patience, choosing to use self-control, wait instead of
becoming tense, angry and overreact, when sometimes thing got out of control.

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Through my field experience I put in practice my philosophy of education in a
classroom to prepare students to get the knowledge and skills that are needed to
contribute to the creation of a greater society.
Field experience is going to influence my philosophy of teaching because it will
reflect my academic preparation, my personal values and my beliefs. Practicing and
creating a range of experience will shape my process of learning and growth as a
teacher in my future teaching. Continually maintaining a perspective on practicing my
philosophy of teaching over time will give me more confidence, it will become a
navigation tool in my career.

Norma Magana
9/26/14

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References
Don Kauchak and Paul Eggen. Philosophies of Education. Introduction to Teaching. 5th edition
155-161, 169-170. Print.
Benito Juarez. El respect al derecho ajeno es la paz (Respect for the rights of others is peace).
(1867)