Running Head: PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

Stephanie Gonzalez

LBS 400

CSUDH

Dr. Macias
Running Head: PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

Ever since I can remember, I have dreamed of becoming a teacher. As a child I always

played the role of the teacher with my friends. When I started college here at CSUDH, I

struggled and had a lack of interest in school. I took a couple years off from school and I thought

teaching was not the ideal profession for me. I started to volunteer at an elementary school, and I

discovered my true passion which is teaching. This motivated me to return and pursue my

education as an educator. The purpose of education is to help and motivate students to achieve

and pursue their goals. Mann believed that social improvement would follow from advances in

knowledge and that schooling would extend individual right and liberties to all (Oaks & Lipton

2002, p.5). Knowledge is power and as a teacher I will give my students that power.

A safe learning environment is important for students. As an educator, it is important to

always protect students from danger. My learning environment will consist of a place where

students can explore their creativity without judgment of others. The importance of developing

a strong profession of teaching has been reinforced by recent research demonstrating how

important teaching is to childrens learning and life chances (Bransford et al, 2005, p.13). In

order to do this, I will constantly motivate my students by displaying their work on the walls of

the classroom, to install in them the importance education holds. It is a teachers duty to maintain

a positive environment in which students can express themselves freely without judgements.

Social justice is defined as equality in education (Hackman,2005). It is important as a

teacher to maintain equality in the classroom. As a teacher, I will help students become aware of

cultural diversity inside and outside of the classroom. If a teacher teaches the same way in all

three environments, he or she will not adequately address the needs of the students, and will miss

and important opportunity for social justice education (Hackman,2005, p.108). I must know
how to implement social justice in the classroom depending on the environment, every school is

different and varies. I plan to teach in the Los Angeles area, I will be working in a diverse

community which will allow me to promote cultural diversity in the classroom.

The philosophical perspective my ideas align with is Progressivism. Progressivism is a

philosophical perspective where the educator approaches education through having students test

their ideas rather than by sitting around and listening to their teacher (Philosophical Perspectives

In Education, 1999). I believe that students should be given the opportunity to experiment to

learn. This philosophical perspective allows students to step out of the comfort zone, and creates

new and challenging opportunities for the student. In modern society progressivism means that

one must adjust to what students need, because students have to allow their students to have

some hands-on learning in the classroom (Labaree, 2005). Applying forms of progressivism in

my classroom will be very important. I want to give my students the opportunity to meet their

learning needs.

The teaching theories that support my philosophy of education are Behaviorism and

Cognitivism. Behaviorism consists of the idea that people are products of their environment

(Philosophical Perspectives in Education, 1999). I believe that students will excel in school if

they surround themselves by positive things. My job as a future teacher is to create an

environment where students can learn, and can be create at the same time. Cognitivism consist of

the philosophical theory that students learn through their experiences (Philosophical Perspectives

in Education, 1999). I believe that students learn from their mistakes, so I believe that making it

clear that it is ok to make mistakes is very important. As a teacher I have to let my students know

that making mistakes is part of climbing the ladder to success.

 Curriculum is important in the classroom because this consists on what a teacher must

present to her students. In my experience from volunteering in the classroom the way curriculum

is taught is essential in the success of students. All subjects should be given equal importance. It

will be important to help students when my students are fall behind and need more assistance. It

will be important to give extra assistance on subjects students typically struggle with, like math

and science. Applying the Common Core Standards for a teacher will be a big responsibility. It

will be important for me to make learning fun and interactive. The Common Core Standards give

teachers the material they must present to their students, but does not state how the teacher will

present the material (Dana, Burns, & Wolkenhauer, 2013). I will use music and art to teach

students. I will allow my students to learn and to have fun at the same time.

In order to be an effective teacher, I must show respect and act responsibly with my

students. I will listen well to what students have to say. As an effective teacher, I will help

students when they are struggling and help them not fall behind on curriculum. Teachers must

motivate students to achieve their full potential. I will teach with inquiry and include more

material, that can be useful in the classroom (Stripling, 2008). What teaching has in common

with a range of other professions is that the work serves others and, because of it social

importance, must do so responsibly (Bransford et al 2005, p.12). Teaching brings along great

responsibility and should be treated with respect. I am very excited to help students and to

motivate students. I will push my students continuously to achieve great things in life. I will

bring enthusiasm and a positive attitude to my classroom.

 References

Bransford, J., Darling-Hammond,L.,andLePage,P.(2005).Preparingteachersfora

changingworld:Whatteachersshouldlearnandbeabletodo(pp.135).San

Francisco,CA:JosseyBass.

Oakes,J.,&Lipton,M.(2002).Schooling:Teachingtochangetheworld2nded.Boston:
McGrawHill.

Stripling, B. (2008). Inquiry: Minds want to know. School library media activities

montlhy, 25 (1), 50-53.

Hackman,H.(2005).FiveEssentialComponentsforSocialJusticeEducation.

Equity&ExcellenceinEducation,103108.

Dana, N., Burns, J., & Wolkenhauer, R. (2013). The Common Core and Inquiry. In

Inquiring into the Common Core (pp. 1-13). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.

Cohen, L. M. (1999). Section III - Philosophical Perspectives in Education. Retrieved

from http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/ed416/PP3.html

Labaree, D. F. (2005). Progressivism, schools and schools of education: An American

romance. Paedagogica Historica,41(1-2), 275-288.

Cohen, L. M. (1999). Philosophical Perspectives in Education. Retrieved from

Philosophical Perspectives in Education.