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Kaitlyn Aiono
Dr. Ryan T. Miller
Education 1010
Chapter 5 Assignment
My Educational Philosophy
As an educator, my philosophical view is deeply rooted in my belief that effective
education is key to improving society and ensuring a productive and bright future for all.
Primarily a Social Reconstructionist, I feel strongly that my responsibility as a teacher includes
teaching students about the world around them through active learning, discussion, and
interaction, while simultaneously preparing them to become productive and just members of, and
contributors to, an increasingly diverse society (Kauchak & Eggen, 160).
In addition to the influence of social reconstructionism, my educational philosophy
includes strong progressivist beliefs and values. I am committed to providing instruction that is
interactive, exploratory, and applicable to real-life experiences and issues. Progressivism is also
evident in my belief that the student, and their individual needs, should always be the center of
focus. Considering the needs of students should involve full consideration of all factors,
including, but not limited to, intellectual, emotional, social, and behavioral factors (Kauchak &
Eggen, 157).
When considering the pedagogical debate between the theories of behaviorism and
constructivism my beliefs and ideals fall somewhere in the middle. As an instructor and educator,
I passionately believe in encouraging and adapting to the unique learning styles and abilities of
my students. I believe that students have great abilities to learn from each other and through
social experiences and self-discovery. These beliefs fall under the theory of Constructivism
(Rummel, 2008). Often on the contrast, I find myself crossing the line into the theory of

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Behaviorism, particularly when considering working with students who have various disabilities
and special needs. During my own personal work experience, I have worked with individuals on
social skills various goals aimed at redirecting inappropriate behaviors through positive
reinforcement. Though I cannot side solely with one particular school of thought, I believe that
being able to accurately assess the needs of my students is most important, and those needs will
vary across academic spectrums as well as social, emotional, and mental spectrums. (Skinner,
1974)
I am a huge proponent of school-wide academic, behavioral, and social supports, and I
believe in helping to build a learning community that prioritizes the welfare of every student. My
ideal learning community includes: 1) effective collaboration with other teachers, 2) working
with strong support systems who are focused on early intervention and helping every student
succeed, 3) embracing and celebrating the unique similarities and differences of each student, 4)
learning about students cultures, backgrounds, and ethnicities, 5) providing a safe, respectful,
and competent learning environment, and 6) creatively finding ways to meet the needs of each
individual student in efforts to help him or her succeed.
I think it is important, as educators, to realize the role that we play in our students lives
and the responsibility that falls on us to provide every student with every available support
necessary to help them succeed in the classroom, as well as outside of the classroom. As
educators, we have the greatest opportunity to provide safe learning environments that promote
constructive curiosity and exploration. My ideal classroom is one in which students feel
comfortable to take the lead when discussing ideas, experiences, and thoughts in order to come
up with new solutions and new knowledge together. I believe that thoughtful exploration

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encourages healthy development and comprehension, and helps students think more critically
about the world around them and how they are affected by it.
The role of a teacher is accompanied by tremendous responsibility (Kauchak & Eggen,
149). I consider the responsibility of teaching to be a great privilege, and I recognize the power
teachers possess in being the decisive element in a students path to success. Effectively meeting
the needs of all students, while being a positive influence in helping them increase their
understanding of and involvement in the world around them, is what motivates me as an educator
and shapes my philosophical values and beliefs.

Works Cited
Kauchak, Don, and Paul Eggen. Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional. Upper
Saddle River: Pearson Education, Inc., 2014. Print.