TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

The Purpose of Education:

In John Dewey’s famous declaration entitled ​My Pedagogic Creed,​ he wrote, “I believe
that all education proceeds by the participation of the individual in the social consciousness
of the race.” (1897, p.1). In this way, a child’s education begins taking place at birth and
continues throughout the socialization process. Through their experiences they acquire
knowledge and skills and formulate both conscious and unconscious opinions about the
world around them. A school is an environment created to stimulate and direct this type of
growth. ​I believe that the overall purpose of education is to provide the opportunity for each
and every student to grow as a human being.​ This means that a school will not only play a
role in their academic development, but their social and personal development as well.

The importance of learning:

As a teacher, I am personally invested in my students. I want to provide each and
every one of them with the tools that they will require to be successful in all aspects of their
lives. Because of this, I have many goals that are both academic and character building in
nature. As a Social Studies teacher, I want to interest students in becoming a positive and
contributing member of their community. In many ways, the school is a model of democracy
where students can learn that they are a member of a larger society and come to
understand the responsibilities and opportunities they have as a citizen. I also feel that it is
important to make students aware of and encourage acceptance of multiple perspectives
and diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs. Being able to understand the different
perceptions of other people will prove invaluable in a student’s everyday life. Being able to
empathize with another person or viewpoint can aid in problem solving, social interaction,
and is very applicable in the political world as well. I feel that it is very important to
facilitate the development of a student’s skills in analysis and interpretation of information,
events, people’s actions, and processes. Furthermore, I want to aid in the development of
students’ problem solving ability and independence. Beyond academics, education is also
the development of skills for life. Most importantly, I want to excite students about learning
and the world around them. Giving them the desire to learn and achieve will create a strong
foundation for success in every aspect of the student’s life.

Pedagogy:
I believe in reflective inquiry based education. Reflective Inquiry based classrooms
promote an ​understanding​ of problems and events, not simple memorizations of facts. What
use are the facts if a student doesn’t know what they mean or how to apply them in a
relevant or useful manner in everyday life? I believe it is important to focus on the big
picture in learning. Teachers should emphasize the significance and effects of what they are
teaching, not the memorization of facts. Reflective Inquiry presents a student with a
problem and allows them to discover the solutions. This type of instruction consists of
versatile and interactive lessons, such as projects, problem solving, and discussions as
opposed to teacher-centered lecture. Through reflection, students come to understand
connections, formation of ideologies, causation, and the reasoning behind events and
problems. “It is the shift from facts to suggested ideas and the testing of those ideas with
facts that characterize a reflective classroom.” (Hunt and Metcalf, 1968, p.72).
Not only does reflective inquiry promote a more complex and applicable
understanding of the content, but it also facilitates a student’s personal development and
growth. The reflection process aids students in developing their own ideas and opinions.
Therefore, it is not up to the teacher to decide what the student should think, but to allow
 TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

them to discover knowledge and arrive at their own conclusions. This can further lead to the
development of values and personal identity, a very necessary process in the creation of a
competent member of society capable of judicious, reasoned thought. I believe this
meaningful, integrative, value based approach is what constitutes truly powerful social
studies teaching. It has purpose and actively seeks to cultivate the positive growth of a
student in every aspect possible.

Instruction:
I feel that the nature of lessons should be very interactive, allowing the student to
learn through experience and application. It should also be versatile, accommodating all
learning styles and abilities. Each student is unique and has an individual set of needs. I feel
it is my job to make sure that each individual’s needs are met so that they have the
greatest opportunity to learn possible. Versatility in lessons also promotes the development
of many different types of skills, such as writing, reading, interpreting, and problem solving.
Instruction should emphasize group cooperation as well as independence. Social interaction
is key to success, but a student also needs to be able to achieve as an individual without the
aid of others. Lessons should allow students to express and develop their individuality and
creativity. Often, lessons can be too restrictive and dull. Giving students option sets high
standards for achievement without limiting them. The use of technology in lessons is also
key both in efficiency and providing students the necessary skills to adapt in an
ever-changing technological world. I believe that above all, learning should be student
centered. A classroom should address the needs of the students, not the teacher.

​Teacher Commitment:
There are three fundamental aspects of a truly good teacher: ability, passion, and
reflection. I plan to set high standards for student achievement and to push them all to
exceed their own expectations. As such, I should model these values of success in my
everyday life. I need to be knowledgeable, cooperative, and hardworking if I expect my
students to be the same. The faculty of a school should be a model of positivity,
cooperation, and community participation. The teacher must also be a leader, as an
academic, as a person, as a role model, and as a member of the community.
I have a great deal of passion for teaching and I think my enthusiasm is the most
important tool in my procession. I personally believe that every student has the ability to
succeed. I want my classroom to be a place where students feel safe and respected, where
students have flexibility and can express their opinions without fear of ridicule. I want them
to have a say in their education and for them to feel that I care about them as an individual.
Most importantly, I want my classroom to be a positive place where students feel engaged
and involved in their learning experience.
The final integral tool in teaching is reflection. Yes, when a teacher makes a
mistake, they should be able to recognize and learn from it. But far beyond that, I will need
to reflect on myself as an educator on a daily basis. I need to look back and ask myself how
my lessons went, are there any skills or needs I’m not addressing, did I incorporate multiple
learning styles, and am I managing my classroom effectively. It is important that I
constantly improve, finding new ways to get better at what I do every day. Lessons should
be continually improved and updated to stay current. The desire to constantly be bettering
oneself can separate good teachers from great teachers.

Conclusion:
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Education is happening constantly. It isn't just the "stuff" students memorize for
their standardized tests. As a teacher, I have to aid in creating a fully rounded learning
experience for a student. I seek to create an environment where each student can grow
emotionally, intellectually, psychologically, and socially. I instill in my students the skills
necessary to becoming rational, accountable, productive citizens of this democratic society.
Most importantly, I will seek to ensure that all students are given the opportunity to achieve
to their fullest pot​ential.