Kristie Drown

EDU 5160

Paulo Freire wrote that, For apart from inquiry, apart from the praxis, individuals cannot
be truly human. Knowledge emerges only through invention and re-invention, through restless,
impatient continuing, hopeful inquiry human beings pursue in the world, with the world, and
with each other (1993). My teaching philosophy is centered around the idea that knowledge is a
tool and like any other tool students need to learn how to wield it. School is often a place where
you are saturated with information that will get you through the next state examination. This is
not a true form of knowledge because once that exam is over most of that information will
simply be jettisoned from the students brains. True knowledge is not only being able to retain
the information that has been learned but also to apply it in a broader context to the world around
you. Knowledge is understanding how one should behave with others, gaining the resources to
conduct your own inquiries, and learning how to be your own advocate. Teachers play a vital
role in readying students to obtain knowledge as well as guide them toward establishing their
own educational methods.
Teaching and learning should always be partners. If one believes that they have acquired
all of the information that they will need by the time they finish schooling, then such a person
should probably not be teaching. In a classroom, the teacher is not the only person possessing
knowledge. The students come into the classroom brimming with information that they have
accumulated. Teachers need to be open to learning from their students as well as teaching them.
Learning is something that you should enjoy because if you dont enjoy it then how can you

possibly instill a desire to learn into your students. Teaching and learning are also dynamic and
evolving entities. There is more than one way to accomplish both of these and you should never
be afraid of a little variety especially if one of your current methods isnt working all that
effectively.
Diversity takes on several different guises in a classroom. Students may vary in ethnicity,
language, socioeconomic status, learning ability, and culture. The most important thing to
remember is that all your students are human beings and entitled to certain rights. Students have
the right to have access to the best education possible. Not all students learn in the same manner
or at the same pace but that doesnt mean that they can be denied the opportunity to learn.
Students should not be spoken down to or treated as vile creatures. Teachers should treat all of
their students with respect. It is generally known that you should treat others as you want to be
treated and this should factor into the classroom. Respect can be shown by listening to the
opinions and ideas of the students and explaining why you have a particular policy in the
classroom. Finally, difference should be valued. As indicated by Moll, students come to the
classroom with abundant funds of knowledge from their life experiences. These resources should
be utilized and not dismissed (1992, p. 133). If the world was all the same it would be a very dull
place indeed. Students need to learn tolerance and if they are exposed to a variety of different
people from a young age, acceptance of this difference may not be so difficult later in their lives.
Teachers are major influences on students lives. Nieto wrote that, the ability of
teachers to influence student learning has been proven time and time again, not only through
anecdotal evidencebut also through research (13). Most people can think back on their
schooling and recall a teacher that they really liked or one who influenced them in some way. It
is also very possible that you look back and remember the teacher that you absolutely loathed

and who scarred you for the rest of your life. Teachers establish the foundation for how you
acquire knowledge and your enthusiasm for school learning. Teachers are also in a position to
destroy the desire to attend school and learn new things. Teaching should be done thoughtfully
for teachers are guides to the future. Ginley wrote that, we have to keep on trying to find
ways to move beyond crowd control to creating places where everyone can grow and learn and
find out who they can be(p. 172). The educational system itself does not always adapt to fit the
needs of students therefor it falls to the teachers to see that students are provided with the best
education possible.
Ignorance is not bliss and the only way that people will ever know this is if they obtain an
education. Teachers are the people that stand between ignorance and knowledge and it is their
duty to usher people into the world of learning. All teachers have the opportunity to expose
people to knowledge and set the course to the future. Teachers have the opportunity to provide an
environment where students take the initiative in their education and the teacher steps back to
guide the learning process. Teachers are role models for how adults behave in society and if
society has a chance to change for the better it must begin in the schools. Teachers must also
remember that they are not perfect beings and although they make mistakes the utilization of
reflection in their practice can assist them in making changes to their practice. Teaching isnt
about shoveling knowledge at students to use for examinations; it is a living, dynamic profession
that should impart upon students a thirst for the quest of enlightenment.

References
Freire, P. (1993). Pedagogy of the oppressed. Retrieved from
http://faculty.webster.edu/corbetre/philosophy/education/freire/freire-2.html
Ginley, M. (2005). Saving the world one child at a time. Teachers College Press.
Moll,L., Amanti, C., Neff, D., & Gonzalez, N. (1992). Funds of knowledge for teaching. Using
a qualitative approach to connect homes and classrooms. Theory into Practice, 31(2),
132-141. Retrieved from http://jstor.org/stable/1476399
Nieto, S. (2013). Finding joy in teaching students of diverse backgrounds. Culturally responsive
and socially just practices in u.s. classrooms. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.