My Philosophy of Education

We were lined up in our neat little rows. My math instructor scratched bullet points straight from the text to the chalkboard. Assignments were handed out at the end of class. The bell rang and we ceremoniously dropped rank, preparing ourselves to line up in our neat little rows once again.  This is how the majority of my classes went in my small town high school. I believed my teachers truly cared for their students. However, I don’t know how many attempted to manifest that care into the academic, ethical, social, and emotional development of their students. Most every lesson was right out of the text.  Most every assignment involved a specific essay topic, problem set, or research plan. The majority of my high school teachers taught in an executive style, viewing curriculum as product. Why do I want to teach so differently? What is my philosophy of education?

           
The goal of education is to enable the individual student to explore their academic, social, ethical, and emotional potential while facilitating an understanding of the basic functions necessary to become citizens in a modern democracy. I believe that the world is wondrous and vast. Students should be empowered to discover ideas that light up their individual imaginations. They will be able to embrace technology to further their explorations. However, students should also be encouraged to develop empathy for others, enabling them to interact as thoughtful contributors to our democratic society. Educated citizens will have the tools necessary to explore their world, while also having the thoughtful compassion needed to care for it.

           
The role of the teacher is to help students find and disseminate information while also facilitating the intrapersonal and social development of each child. I see myself as both guide and gatekeeper to a world of infinite information. I will capitalize upon the talents and learning styles of individual students when guiding them through their explorations. By allowing students to explore material that interests them, I will help students find their place in the world and work towards self-actualization.

          
 As a mathematics teacher, I would emphasize activities that allow students to explore both the power and applicability of mathematics as it relates to them. For instance, if I knew that a student was theoretically and visually oriented, I would teach the Pythagorean Theorem by directing them to explore the original geometric construction as developed by Pythagoras. To teach the same lesson to a student that was more oriented towards concrete and tactile learning, I would let them explore home building techniques that involve right triangles.  However, to be able to implement the number of differentiated approaches necessary, I would encourage exploration through internet and software based learning aids.

           
The classroom environment would be one that encourages use of technology as well as peer discussion. Each student would sit adjacent to other students at a multiple computer station. After individual exploration, students would discuss their findings with their friends. As each student will be engaged in something that interests them, I would set broad rules that emphasize respect. Misbehavior would be discussed individually. Grade evaluation would encourage students to explore as much as they can. One component of grading would be based upon the quality and quantity of research. However, to achieve a thorough understanding of the material, there would be another component of traditional quizzes and tests that would be taken when the student feels that he or she is ready.  My classroom would be a free-flowing exploration center where students are directed to achieve by their own intrinsic motivations.

          
 As an explorer teacher, I believe that I will never know everything about any subject; that includes the art of teaching. Therefore, I plan to continually refine my practice through research and experimentation. After several years teaching at the high school level, I want to pursue a doctorate in education.  The nature of knowledge, learning, processing, and memory is of vast interest to me.  I plan to explore my most profound interests in order to better contribute to the art of teaching.