Example

Philosophy of Education Action Plan

10/19/15

In my Philosophy of education there are many themes that are underlying that I wish to
implement through my teaching. These themes are Always having an Answer, Good
Student/Teacher relationships, and Conquering the Fear of Math. Each one of these individual
themes is needed in order to maintain a teaching atmosphere that is beneficial to the students.
My first theme is Always having an Answer to Questions.
This is important to me because in math it is very much a question/answer style of teaching.
When you are given a math problem, you are always taught that it will have some form of
answer. Even having no answer is an answer to some problems. Thus, students in math should
always be able to either A) Find an answer for a problem or B) Find a way to get the answer to
the problem.
I will establish this in the classroom by:
1) Answering all questions that a student will have. It is very important to not discourage the
student when doing work. If I am able to give some form of resolve to a
problem/question a student has, they will be able to tackle other similar questions,
allowing them to expand their knowledge on the subject.

2) In the beginning of the year, I will make sure to tell them that no question is dumb. If I
establish this concept of every question being important, they will be able to ask
questions allowing them to get answers. If a student doesnt feel like their question is a
smart question, they will not want to ask. So, allowing them to feel their questions are
important, will make them want to ask more.
3) I will give them a Question Project. This project would be to write down on a sticky note
and stick them on the whiteboard in class. Once all the questions are collected, I would
assign that each person choose a question on the board that they would want to answer.
This would allow each person to expand their knowledge on the subject they are learning.
Also, since each post-it note wouldnt have the students name on it, they wont know
who asked what. Thus they wont feel embarrassed to participate in the project.
4) Lastly, I will ask the students questions during class. Thus is a small action to the class to
show them that even teachers need to ask questions sometimes. Also, this will test their
knowledge on whatever we are going over in class.
My second theme I believe is important is having a Good Student/Teacher Relationship
with your students.
This is important to me because the student must always be able to rely on the teacher if they
have a problem. As mentioned earlier, the teacher must always be able to communicate with the
students if they have a problem. Likewise, the teacher must be able to communicate the solution
effectively. Thus, with a good student teacher relationship, each party will be able to respect each
other and be able to go to each other if something needs to be answered.
I will establish this theme by:

1) Being respectful to the students. This is a must in any classroom. But is very important
specifically when building a good relationship with the students. If they dont respect
you, they will not listen to you through your teaching. So being able to build that trust
through a show of respect is very important and is what should happen in the classroom.
2) Making clear what I assign for work. One thing that teachers fail to understand is
sometimes students will be confused on what they were assigned, even if a teacher thinks
the assignment is clear. Being able to go over the work and asking if students have any
problems will make clear what is being asked of them. Thus making a better relationship
with them.
3) I would also have them give me expectations at the beginning of the year. Setting clear
expectations for the teacher as well as for the students is important as it shows you are
willing to listen to them for feedback. Students will appreciate this and will be more
willing to listen to you in return.
4) Lastly I will fix any lasting problems that occur in the classroom. If problems with
work/school are happening and nothing is being done about it, students will believe that
the teacher doesnt care about what is going on. Thus, if something needs to be
addressed, the teacher should do so in a timely manner that way students can rely on the
teacher in those situations.
My final theme is Conquering the Fear of Math.
This is important to me because in math there is always this stigma of not being a math kid or
someone just being bad at math. I feel this needs to be addressed. If one can conquer that fear
of math thats in their heard, they will more likely succeed as they will be more willing to try at
the problems ahead of them.

I will establish this theme by:

1) Relating math to the real world. Math is something that can be used in almost anything
you do. If I can show this to the students they will have a better understanding of how
real math can be. If people can do math in the real world, they will be able to do simple
math in the classroom. Thus helping students get rid of the fear they have because it will
show how less abstract math can be.
2) I will not over-extend a problem. If I keep problems in the most basic form as I can make
it, students will be able to see solutions much clearer. Yes, I can gradually make
problems more challenging, but I will never start a problem in a very challenging way, as
that will discourage the student.
3) Setting reasonable goals. This also is related to not over extending the problem. If I give
students simple/reasonable goals throughout the year, students will reach the goals more
often. If a student reaches their goals a lot of the time, they will feel more confident and
be more willing to do math and reach even higher goals.
4) Lastly I will relate math to my own personal experiences. When I was younger math was
very hard to me. I struggled all throughout middle school and was no different than any
other student. If I tell the students this they will relate to me and see how much I have
overcome math myself. Showing them that it is able to be done, and they will want to
conquer math themselves, or at least, feel like it will be less difficult to do.

Cultural/ Gender Responsiveness

In my classroom I will always be aware of cultural and gender differences. The following are
things I will do in the classroom that will reflect this idea of diversity and cultural/gender
awareness.
1) Always keeping my language non-gender based. When I teach and instruct the classroom
I will make sure not to say You guys but rather You all. This will not alienate one
gender over the other, but instead reflects on the entire group of students as a whole.
2) Making sure to be aware of the differences in holidays for students. Not every student
will celebrate Christmas. I need to remember that when holidays like Christmas, Hanukah
and other religious holidays come about. Instead of saying Merry Christmas, but say
Happy Holidays. That way student are not alienated for celebrating one holiday over
another.
3) Lastly I will be aware if a student says something is disrespectful to them and the way
they are raised. For example, if a student is raised to not be looked in the eye, and to not
look at others in the eyes, I need to be aware of that and not be upset by them not looking
at me in the eye.
Overall, if I can be aware of a students cultural differences, I will be able to teach without being
disrespectful to the student or discouraging to the students