My Educational Goals and Philosophy Statement
Every person has an opinion about one thing or another about our educational system. I want to become more familiar with the current educational issues. In doing this, I will need to be respectful and open minded about the issues at hand and understand that they will be different and challenging to me. I will also expect in return that in return that people will treat me with the same courtesy given to them. Throughout this philosophy statement, I will discuss some of my educational opinions and goals based upon my brief experiences. Knowing that they will change over the years I wish you to know that the one thing that remains the same is I will always keep the best interest of my students at heart. I do hope that you will enjoy my insight even if you do not agree, because like the title says, this is " From My Eyes Only."
In my brief experience with the education system, I do realize that it is not perfect. I will keep this within the realm of only my experience and my own projected plans for the future. Being in the education system currently, I understand how important it is to keep up with advancing technology. In the future I plan to remain well informed. In doing this I plan to attend classes and seminars. I will get involved in my community, with a focus on how it stands within our country. I will remain focused upon giving my students the best opportunities for them. I expect my students will vary based upon their previous backgrounds. They will be coming into my classroom young, (ages 5-12) happy, lonely, sad, eager, and scared. After breaking the initial barrier that is formed during the first part of school there will be changes. Overall, they will be happy, active and have a desire to learn. They will also become more familiar with each other and become friends. During the year that I have my students they will grow and be more prepared for the next stage of development in their lives.
I feel that the nature of knowledge is relative, constructed differently according to person, place and time.
The dictionary defines the word philosophy as the general principles or laws of a field of knowledge, activity, etc. I, myself define philosophy as my beliefs, values, and opinion on a subject. Specifically in this paper, the subject I will be speaking about is my philosophy of education. What is my philosophy of education you might be asking? I will answer this question as well as talk about many other aspects of education. These aspects include the nature of students, the nature of knowledge, the purpose of public education, method, and curriculum.
Throughout many years, education has played an important role in improving our minds and society. However, what many people tend to forget is that our education is not at the best it can be. Education is defined as receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university. Many people today questions whether or not our education depends on the people teaching it or if it’s the student’s responsibility to want to learn. "To what extent do our schools serve the goals of a true education?" Education helps people learn new things, but it can be changed. Although education helps students learn and plan for the future, it can be improved to help benefit students ahead of time.
I believe that the aim of education is to create well-rounded citizens in a democratic society. This means that students are not only being taught just the academic standards by also being taught social skills. The students will be able to be a citizen that will improve their society and be a person who is diverse and who is open to the differences in people. With this comes a couple of barriers, such as the desire to learn new things in both teachers and students in the classroom is lacking and the worker-as-machine model.
In conclusion, the ideas presented here are an overview of my personal beliefs regarding education. I expect that experience may cause me to add to, delete or otherwise alter some of these views. It is my desire to continue to learn from my instructors, peers and ultimately my students so that I may become a well-rounded and effective educator. Someday soon, I would like to be able to describe my classroom as community of learners, having produced good citizens as well as educated individuals.
Deciding on a career is a very difficult decision for anyone to make, especially for someone just coming out of high school. I always knew that I wanted to work with children, but I didn’t know what field I wanted to be in. After thinking about what field I could be in that I could work with children the most, I decided to become a teacher. I have always had a great deal of respect for most of the teachers I’ve had and hopefully I will be able to gain that respect from my students.
There have been many philosophies passed down through the years by many great educators. Views and opinions that have varied from individual to individual. Some ideas were widely accepted and others were not. I feel that it is important for every educator to obtain their own individual educational philosophy. An individual philosophy is good way to help an educator become grounded in what they believe and strive to make that philosophy happen in the classroom. It is a belief that should be strongly believed in and in the end have an impact on the people it is aimed for, which is the students. Over the last few years, I have developed a philosophy that I strongly believe in, because it has proven itself to me, and I want to prove it to others. The philosophy I have developed is that education is the key that opens the doors of opportunity and every student needs to understand the opportunities that await them with an education no matter who they may be.
Teaching has always been an honorable and valued profession. With teaching you instill the knowledge and values that the student will take with them throughout life. I have volunteered at the elementary school with my children and have enjoyed watching the encouragement and nurturing of these teachers towards their students. I felt that I have the ability to nurture and share in the wonderment of the knowledge that prevails around us. To achieve this goal I will strive to give these students the understanding, love, and confidence that they need to prepare them for their journey in life.
Teaching is a complex occupation that requires as much empathy and emotion as it does educational skill. I had always dreamed of becoming a teacher, and realized after having my own children, that I would not truly be fulfilling my purpose in life if I did not pursue this dream. As a volunteer at the elementary school in my community, I loved the environment and took tremendous joy in watching the children learn. I felt that I had the ability, along with the dedication and desire, it would take to become a full time educator. To achieve this goal I will strive to give my students a positive beginning, provide confidence in their individual abilities, and prepare them for different aspects in life.
Education is everywhere. This is why teachers need to be the best they can be. Since all children and adolescents are required to attend school, they need teachers that care about them and their education. In order for a teacher to be able to do this, he/she needs to understand the nature of students and knowledge. These two things go together. A teacher also needs to know what the purpose of an education is because without knowing, a teacher does not really have a purpose. In my philosophy, I will discuss why I think my curricular area is important and how I will professionally develop myself to become the best teacher I can be.
It is true that many educators do not know what their educational philosophy is. However it is imperative for educators and future educators to know their personal educational philosophies so that they can be accountable, explain how they teach, what they are doing and why. My personal Educational philosophy is made up of four components; metaphysics, epistemology, axiology, and logic.
The responsibilities that educators have in the education field is to teach our students the basic training skills needed to be successful in the future. As an educator I will be involved in classroom instruction, grading papers, taking attendance, planning lesson plans around activities, readings and projects that will not only teach, but also engage. Without engagement, students are not likely to have a positive learning experience. I will make sure that every child is envolved and no child is left behind.
Education is a very important aspect of our lives. It is our education that makes us who we are and determines what we become. Therefore, education is not something to be taken lightly. As a teacher, my goal will be to provide the best possible education for my students. Every student is unique. I must see students for who they are individually and respect their ideas and opinions. Each student has a different learning style. I must take this into consideration because I want to provide a constructive learning opportunity for every student. I believe that every student has the potential to learn.
Education is the answer to all of the problems facing the world. Knowledgeable people do not take inhumane and unethical actions against others. It is only through the education of others that crime, poverty and hunger will be solved. It is due to the potential of education that has inspired me to be an educator. The ability to make a difference and to communicate my passion for literature and the English language is my driving force and ambition. Inspiring a disinterested student to read or write poetry is a gateway to creative open minds, which will result in a more civilized world.
“As a teacher, you have in your hands the power to influence and mould a student's mind. You have within you the capacity to instill in the child a love for learning, to keep an open mind and to keep questioning. You have the ability to promote confidence, stir thinking and awaken dreams...” (unknown). Education has been a huge part of my life, my mother started teaching when I was three years old she always said, “Justan when you grow up you should teach, your super smart and very creative.” In addition, like many other students have been in school for the majority of my life. My philosophy of education is to be a life changer. I want to touch a student’s life and leave a good positive imprint on their views of education. Teachers are more than educators they are mentors, class managers, role models, and learners. Effective teachers are learners they learn about their students, they learn how to differentiate their classrooms based on what they know about the students, and they stay up to date on the current educational technology.
John W. Gardner said, “Much education today is monumentally ineffective. All too often we are giving young people cut flowers when we should be teaching them to grow their own plants.” Education today is very ineffective. It is in an in between phase of the ways of old and a time of complete reform. The main issue is that people often lose sight of why the education system should even be reformed. It shouldn’t be reformed because “that’s what everyone else is doing.” It needs to be reformed to bridge the gap for the students who have a different learning style. It should be reformed to expand knowledge for students. Education reform can have good and bad effects. Because the education system is very complex, educators are being faced with changes and they must decide what is best for students.