Philog #6

Personal Philosophy of Education

     I believe that the true goal of education is the realization of one’s potential, that one’s personal human potential is the full expression of authentic self in relation to truth in community, and that realizing one’s personal potential depends on a reliable foundation of accurate self-knowledge.  Education is not a group of classes containing a series of facts to be used on a test and then forgotten. Education is a series of tools that students use every day in the classroom and in the real world. The English language is the primary language of the United States and people use it to communicate throughout the world. Yet, many students have difficulty using the language properly. As an educator, I would like to make a difference and help students write better and use proper grammar and punctuation. All students are capable of learning and learning about language does not mean students simply learn a series of rules. Using the language is the key to understanding it.

      I believe that a teacher knows which style of teaching to utilize depending on which class s/he is teaching.  It is an inherent intuition possessed by all good teachers.  Whether it is strictly demonstrator, facilitator, or delegator, or even a combination of all or some, the teacher modifies herself/himself to suit the needs of the students.  The modification has become the purpose of the teacher in a classroom.  This modification helps to ensure that students have a better learning experience in the classroom.  A teacher’s job is not only to educate the students, but to also have students feel that joy that comes from learning and being innovative; “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge,” stated by Albert Einstein.             In order for students to feel comfortable volunteering their ideas, especially for difficult concepts, I want to promote a warm, safe learning environment.  Whenever a student provides an answer, no other student should be allowed to be disrespectful.  In doing so, it would discourage further answering in the future.  The classroom will only tolerate respect from teacher to student, student to teacher, and student to student.  Regardless of the student’s religion, race, or sexual orientation, every answer should be valuable and appreciated. 

      I anticipate my personal philosophy of education will take on different frames over time, but

regardless, it will guide my career as an educator. In order to act upon my beliefs and put them into action, I will carry out the following:

1. Teach in a manner that espouses the purpose of education is to enhance personal growth among students, to facilitate self-actualization, and to give learners practical knowledge and problem-solving

2. Follow principles which include allowing the learners’ experiences into the classroom and use

those experiences to enhance their learning process.

3. Allow students to take an active role in learning by being involved in planning learning

projects.

4. Support the learning process by partnering in the teaching-learning exchange.

5. Promote critical thinking through experiential, cooperative, and collaborative learning.

6. Work to promote freedom and autonomy in the adult learning process, as well as individuality,

authenticity and personal meaning making.

7. Engage in interpersonal communication with students, openness and teaching-learning

exchange.

8. Practice active listening and active inquiry that supports the students and their learning process.

9. Encourage students to be pro-active, open their minds to the world, and work for social change.

10. Practice teaching with humility.