Educational Philosophy
Mrs. Jackson's Educational Philosophy
When I was in elementary school, 3rd grade to be exact, I had the privilege of having a teacher, Mr. Jennings, who touched me in a way that has impacted my life forever. Mr. Jennings was one of those teachers who understood teaching was more than just helping a child learn their multiplication facts or how to write in cursive. He understood that education was something much bigger. That it was about lighting a “spark” and making children interested, engaged and curious about their surroundings. He personally taught me to love school, to love to learn, to be confident in asking questions, and to never give up. I left his class with the confidence that I could accomplish anything and with the goal of one day being a teacher myself.
I am happy and proud to say that just as the man who inspired me so many years ago; I too have the privilege of teaching 3rd grade. Outside of my family, I consider this one of my greatest accomplishments and most precious gifts. There is nothing better than watching the magic of a child understand a concept for the first time, or watching a student persevere through a task or assignment and feeling their sense of pride and accomplishment at the end. I truly feel blessed each and every day to witness these moments. It is truly a gift or as St. Thomas Aquinas would say, so much more than a job…a “vocation.”
I view education as a life-long event in which a person is constantly redefining themselves from the knowledge and insights they have gained, experiences they have gone through, and values they possess. Again, as St. Thomas Aquinas said “education is the total process of human development” and encompasses so much more than reading and writing. Education is about the formation of a person’s life and how they identify themselves spiritually, intellectually, socially, morally, politically, economically etc. Schooling, on the other hand, is the more deliberate and careful instruction that complements education and helps a child gain knowledge and learn where their gifts, talents, and interests lie.
As a teacher, I feel the most effective way to do this is through diverse learning. As Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences supports there are nine sets of intellectual strengths. Learners tend to use several of these intellectual sets with greater agility than other sets. Through diverse teaching methods children will be exposed to the multiple intelligences and be challenged by their weaker sets and motivated by their stronger sets. Students will have an opportunity to learn a little more about themselves by understanding how they learn best and how their strengths (and weaknesses) help to identify them as a person.
I strive to make teaching methods authentic and allow students the opportunity to learn in diverse ways. Some students are musical and learn best through the exposure of music. Others are kinesthetic learners who need hands-on activities. Still others are interpersonal and learn best working in groups. By diversifying instruction and incorporating teaching methods that support multiple ways of learning students are able to identify how they learn best, where their strengths and interests lie, and empower them to become life long learners.