My Personal Philosophy of Education
Student-Focused Learning
Throughout my Personal Philosophy of Education, I will discuss why I want to be a teacher, whom I aspire to be as a future teacher, and the various aspects of my classroom that I plan to bring to life.
Purpose of Education
I see the purpose of education as not only transmitting knowledge but as helping students discover themselves and their passions. I want my students to leave my class understanding the material and how it applies to making a positive difference in this world.
Orientation
As I researched the different aspects of my personal educational philosophy, I discovered that I want to be a "Nurturer" and "Social Reformer" in my teaching. Some of my students may never feel the true love of a mother, and I feel that each child deserves that. I also envision my future classroom as a place where I can make a difference and go against society's stereotypes of school.
Values/Beliefs
In the classroom, I value optimism and self-discovery. I believe a child will never truly learn until they can relate to the information and see its relevance in their lives. I honestly aspire to only teach information that helps my students grow in knowledge and character, so they can take on the world with kindness and intelligence.
I believe diversity within the classroom is important for every student's learning process. We can learn from each other's backgrounds and stories, especially by offering my students opportunities to relate the lessons to their own lives or prior knowledge. I plan to choose books from a diverse variety of authors so that every student can have someone to identify with throughout the year.
In relation to students with disabilities, I believe every student should be given opportunities and accommodations to be at the same level of learning as students without disabilities. It may result in more work for me as a teacher, but there are many different actions I can take to provide support to my students with disabilities, such as giving access to audiobooks, one-on-one meetings, and extra time to finish assessments. Students should always feel believed in, no matter what may seem to be holding them back.
Why Teach?
I chose to teach for myself and for my future students. As a Teacher Assistant in public schools, I heard all kinds of stories about teachers who were cruel and only chose to teach for the steady payment. I want to be a teacher who vows to provide learner-centered classrooms where the students feel loved and enjoy learning. I want to create an environment that students want to learn in, and I want to help each student grow in confidence of their ideas and purpose.
What I'll Teach
I am excited to be teaching English because I love to read and write, and I hope that my passion for it helps my students love it all the more; however, I plan on teaching more than just information. I want to teach my students good study habits, positive ways to examine oneself and one's passions, and how to use those passions and gifts to make a positive difference in the world. I want to teach them things they can take beyond the years at school.
How I'll Teach
I have always believed in the power of teaching by example, especially when it concerns things outside of schoolwork. When it comes to teaching students time management skills, I plan on spacing out the different essay parts as assignments so that they understand how to manage their time for big assignments. I also plan to assign journal periods and biweekly check-ins to help my students with self-discovery.
Equity/Justice
The picture below shows three boys, clearly different in size, as they experience the three different "treatments" - equality, equity, and justice. I will always try to use justice by removing the barrier that separates students from each other, but in cases that I cannot control, such as their home lives, I vow to use equity because no child is the same, and it is ridiculous to treat them all the exact same way while teaching them information.l
Professionalism
As a teacher, it is important to stay professional even when certain aspects of the job are difficult. I am expecting that I will have struggles with teachers who disagree with my teaching style and with students who do not follow my classroom rules, but it is of utmost importance that I do not allow my emotions to control my actions. I must be patient and optimistic even when I have bad days, and if I mess up, I have to admit to my mistakes and humble myself in front of my students. Through these actions, I hope my students can pick up on how to "act professional" because, at times, students copy their teachers when they view them as role models.
Teaching Roles
I will have many different roles as a teacher, but the ones I want to focus on the most include being a role model to my students, being there for my students, being a good listener who always sees the potential in my students, and being a believer in the good of each student.
Faith
I am a strong Christian believer, and I think my faith makes me a better person. My Christian faith encourages me to serve my students' needs more than my own, love each student equally, and demonstrate patience and perseverance in the face of adversity. I want to show Christian values of humility, selflessness, patience, and encouragement to my students.