Running head: PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT 1

Philosophy Statement

Chapman, Ava

Professor LueLinda Egbert

EDUC 201 Foundations of Education

Spring 2017
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Philosophy Statement

Through the duration of everyones life there will be challenges and trials that they must

face. Resilience is something that is needed and very beneficial for individuals to succeed.

Sometimes in life you have to push through like you would with your last rep on squat. There

will be weight and burdens pushing down on you, but the accomplishment will be when you find

the strength and courage to push up and rack that heavy weight. There will be times where the

weight will feel like more than you can bear. At times there may need to be an adjustment to the

weight so it is manageable, but ultimately resilience and dedication will shine as you accomplish

hard things.

There are many defining characteristics about myself that create who I am. The

philosophy (philosophies) in the book that best describes my personality are a mixture of

Perennalism, Essentialism, Progressivism, and Social Reconstructionism. It is a strong belief of

mine that there needs to be a balance amongst all of these philosophies. Within my classroom I

hope to encourage and create an environment where my students focus on enduring ideas, have

essential knowledge and basic skills, practice problem skills and other life skills, and can address

social issues. It is a goal of mine to help my students be well educated and help create and

achieve their goals and dreams and help improve the society around them.

There are aspects within that philosophy (philosophies) that are pertinent such as how

implementing philosophy to a childs life can open wonderful possibilities for growth and

learning. When searching the definition of philosophy on google the provided definition states

Philosophy is the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence,

especially when considered as an academic discipline. Within my classroom I want my students

to have a deeper understanding of knowledge, the real world around them, and have structure for
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their academic excellence. I find that understanding these philosophies will help me be a better

educator for my students.

Under my Educational Philosophies Self- Assessment it was made clear that there are a

few different philosophies that are very important to me. According to my philosophical beliefs

all schools should teach and practice Humanism, Behaviorism, and Cognitivism. I firmly believe

that learning from the perspective of a human potential for growth and becoming the best that

one can be is vital. Human beings can control their own destiny, people are inherently good, and

striving for a better world is necessary. People are free to act but they must be responsible. I

would like my students to be responsible and have a strong desire to learn. I also think that

behavior is the result of external forces that cause people to behave in predictable ways. I want to

develop behavioral goals and establish reinforcements for accomplishing goals. It is also very

important to me that my students learn actively and create their own understanding of reality.

Upon practice of Humanism, Behaviorism, and Cognitivism I believe that my students

and other students will flourish in the classroom and in life. It would allow and promote a clear

understanding of the world around them, why the material they are learning is important and why

they should have appropriate behavior. Active learning is essential to the development of

students. Unless they are ready to learn or actively engage there will be no retention of the

material. You cannot force people to learn. Cognitivism philosophy states that The learner

actively construct his or her own understandings of reality through acting upon an affecting on

experiences in the world. When a new object, event, or experience is not fit the learners present

knowing structures, a conflict is provoked that requires an active quest to restore a balance.

Teachers facilitate environmental conditions and mediate experience to support student

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learning. Resilience and support are vital in the classroom and they can be supported by

philosophies.

The teachers role is to reinforce what the student needs to do and addresses undesirable

behaviors. This addresses Behaviorism. When looking at Cognitivism, the teachers role is to

develop behavior goals and reinforce to accomplish goals. Teachers according to Humanism can

also facilitate environmental conditions and experiences to support student learning, growth and

flourishing of the students. Teachers incorporate learning from the perspective of the human

potential for growth. They can also shift the study of effectiveness as well as cognitive

dimensions of learning, and enforce striving to be better students. However, the students role is

to be actively engaged and participate. This is clearly obvious from the Behaviorism,

Cognitivism, and Humanism philosophies.

In my classroom I want to help my students learn and grow. I know that a huge factor to

student growth is the learning style of the students. When I took the learning assessment I found

that I learn best by sensing, and being active. I have discovered certain concepts about my

learning styles, and I enjoy hands on material that keeps me engaged. I also learn well if I can

use all of my senses. I think that by understanding this concept of different learning styles I will

be able to help my students. Subject material should be taught using the learning styles that helps

the students. Not every child learns the same. I strongly believe that there needs to be a mixture

of teaching that allows students to excel with their learning style, and also learn how to learn in

other ways. This should be partially decided by the student, due to their interests and partially by

the teacher, due to the curriculum. This is stated in Information philosophy and that Cognitivism

philosophy.
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Philosophy is a very interesting and helpful to the development of students. The

Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and Humanism philosophies and certain aspects of several are

important to the governance of my life. I have found that as I have focused on these philosophies

learning and growth has occurred. I want to help my students learn and grow. I feel that by

implementing these philosophies in my classroom it will help create an environment where my

students can learn and grow, and help prepare my students for the real world. I want my students

to succeed and accomplish their goals. I feel that through the implementation and understanding

of philosophy this is possible. Resilience and a strong education help create strong and brilliant

students.