Philosophy of Education

My past experiences as a student has completely shaped who I am as a future educator.

Growing up in a small town where everyone knows everything about you was frustrating.
However, I now look back and appreciate that my teachers were able to get to know me better.
These teachers taught me that hard work pays off, and that there’s more to life than my little
farm town. These teachers guided me in the classroom, at my sporting events, after school club
meetings, and even the occasional grocery store run in. Going forward, I have high expectations
for my journey as a teacher. My humanist beliefs involve the roles of students, parents, and
community in education.
First, the role of the student within education is to learn from their teachers and peers to
be independent and open to curiosity. A quote that reflects this belief states, “You can take a
horse to water, but you can’t make it drink!” One of my former teachers repeated this often, and
now I understand his point. I will do everything I can to make sure I give students the tools to
expand their minds. Ultimately, the role of the student is to take these tools I have given them
and learn to their best ability. I feel very strongly about the mental health of my students, and
understand that every learning style is very unique. The relationship between me and my
students will be friendly, but fair.
Next, the role of the parents in education is something I feel very strongly about. Their
role as parents should be to support the passions of their children and respect the teachers. The
most effective way I can teach my students is if they have been taught to respect me. There is
only so much I can do to discipline a student in my class, and a real difference in behavior needs
to be started with at home.
Finally, the role of community in education is to support members on a larger scale and
promote involvement. When I am a teacher, I will be involved in extracurricular activities
outside of class. My favorite teachers in the past have also been my coaches. I want my students
to know that I care about them, and what they are passionate about outside of classroom material.
The community plays a big role in growth socially and personally for a student. Coming together
as a community to cheer on a sports team or other event will give my students a safety net on a
larger scale.
In conclusion, my belief that the purpose of education is to inspire and expand the minds
of people coincides with all of these aspects. My humanist approach puts emphasis on giving my
students the tools to give their learning meaning. I desire to perfect my techniques over time with
more experience. I want to be viewed as a guide that will be there for my students. I want to be
approachable, but also a respected official. I want my students to be able to look at me for
direction, but also friendship. I am very excited for what this next journey will have in store for
me as an English teacher.