Statement of Educational Philosophy

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Statement of Educational Philosophy

Ever since I was in the seventh grade I knew that teaching was the profession for me. I had a wonderful teacher, Cathy Adkins, who was and still is my greatest inspiration. She was not like any teacher I had in the past. She was different. I call it the “personal effect,” because she just wasn’t a teacher, she was a friend. I know we are taught not to make friends with students, but it really does make a difference. I want to be the kind of teacher that a student feels comfortable coming to about anything, one that can take time out of there personal life because a student needs them. I want to make a difference; I will make a difference, even if it is just one child. Maybe that one child could change the world.

My style of teaching does not fit easily into any one specific philosophical ideal. It is this eclectic blend of essentialism and progressivism that I believe can make me a good teacher. I believe, like essentialists, in lecturing. I feel it is the most effective way to get your lesson (particularly a lot of information or a new concept) across, but at the same time I do not believe in lecturing just what is in the textbooks. This is my progressive side. Textbooks are outdated and do not include a multitude of much needed information. Being a history major, I think it is important for students to know all of their history. It may not be exactly what they want to here, but we cannot shelter our children forever.

I will lecture, but student involvement is also very crucial. I want to have cooperative learning activities regularly woven into my classes. These activities will break up the monotony of everyday lectures and giv...

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... Are our children not worth it?

I feel that my eclectically blended views on teaching will make me a rare teacher in today’s world. I’m not afraid to make friends with my students and work with them person to person. Children need the time and extra concern from someone, and who better than their parent away from home, the teacher. I want to give my students chances that I didn’t have in school, the chance to get on track early in life. True, I had a truly inspirational teacher that cared and was concerned, but no one ever thought I could do it. I want my students to get this support, this drive, and this motivation early in life. I want my students to make all they can out of what they are given in life. As I stated previously, even if I reach just one student, one solitary student, then I have made my difference. I have changed the world.

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