Embedded Files
Who am I?
My name is Kason, and I was born and raised in Charlottesville, Virginia. Growing up, school was a struggle for me. I was diagnosed with ADHD in middle school after years of being labeled disruptive and misunderstood. These experiences often left me feeling discouraged, but they also shaped my perspective. Along the way, I had a few incredible teachers who saw me for who I was and helped me succeed. The first was my fourth-grade teacher, who truly listened, guided me, and made me feel valued. Her impact inspires me to teach fourth grade, where I hope to be that same source of encouragement and support for my own students. My personal values: empathy, resilience, and determination come directly from those experiences and continue to guide me today.
What I Know:
I bring empathy, patience, and perseverance to the classroom. I understand what it’s like to struggle in school, and I know how important it is for kids to feel like someone is on their side. My personal experiences with ADHD and overcoming negative labels give me a unique perspective on supporting students who might feel misunderstood or overlooked. I know that every student deserves to feel valued and heard, and that building positive relationships and meeting students where they are is just as important as teaching content.
What I Have to Learn:
No teacher is ever finished learning, as no person is finished growing. My experiences allow for a deeper understanding of my students, but I don't know everything. I know I still have much to learn about meeting the needs of all students, especially English Language Learners, students with special needs, and those from diverse backgrounds. I plan to grow through professional development, collaboration, and reflection so I can better reach every child.
The Teacher I Will Become:
I believe the purpose of school is twofold: to ensure students gain the essential skills they need for future success, and to create opportunities for them to explore, question, and grow into thoughtful members of society. The most important things my students will learn go beyond reading, writing, and math. They will also learn curiosity, problem-solving, collaboration, and empathy. In my classroom, students will learn through a student-centered environment that balances structure with creative exploration. I will provide clear instructions and practice in core subjects, reflecting my belief in essentialism. I will also design hands-on, project-based experiences that allow students to connect their learning to real life, reflecting progressivism. I also draw on social reconstructionism because I believe education should help students think critically about social issues and empower them to make positive change in their communities. If a visitor walked into my classroom, they would see students actively engaged in collaborative work. They would be discussing, experimenting, creating, and solving problems together. They would see a teacher who serves as a guide, offering direction and support while giving students the freedom to make educational discoveries of their own. My students will be explorers, encouraged to take risks, ask questions, and pursue new ideas. They will value respect, curiosity, and community while interacting with each other in ways that build teamwork and mutual understanding. Together, these approaches define my philosophy of education. By blending essentialism, progressivism, and social reconstructionism, I will create a classroom that ensures my students are well-prepared academically, inspired to keep learning, and motivated to use their knowledge to make the world a better place.
How I Used AI:
I used ChatGPT to collect and order my thoughts while brainstorming for this assignment. I also had it generate an image that would represent my teaching philosophy as it stands today. I asked the AI to "Create an image that shows me as a teacher, guiding a group of young students who are explorers on a learning journey," and this is what it made. This reflects my belief that students are natural explorers, and I am their guide for their current expedition, helping them discover knowledge and develop skills along the way. ChatGPT used the information I used for my "Who am I?" section in order to illustrate me, and while it took seemingly forever for it to generate, it required few to no tweaks, thankfully. My opinion on AI is relatively unchanged after this assignment. I believe AI is a wonderful tool when used while brainstorming and to create visuals (to a degree), but I think it's better playing only a support role. It should never overshadow one's own voice or creative processes. My goal is to use AI thoughtfully to support my work, without replacing the personal effort, thoughts, and authenticity that make being a teacher something I strive for.
Comments:
Hi Kason! I trully enjoyed reading your philosophy of education. I love how you balance essentialism with progressivism and social reconstructionism—it really shows that you value both academic growth and personal development. The way you described your classroom as a space where students are explorers, taking risks, and asking questions, stood out to me because that’s precisely the kind of environment kids thrive in. I also admire how you want to teach empathy, curiosity, and collaboration alongside core subjects. Those are skills that students will carry with them long after they leave your classroom. You can tell you’re passionate about guiding students not only to succeed academically but also to grow into thoughtful, engaged members of society. -A. Lopez
Hey Kason, first of all I really relate to having empathy and resilience as part of my core traits, having gone through some of my own behavioral issues in school as well. I agree that the kids who are struggling in school deserve to have someone at their side and always supporting them, as I too struggled in school and needed that. Your what I have to learn section was definitely felt as I too wonder how it might be challenging for me when teaching English language learners or kids with special needs. You and I both have a beleif in the philosophy of essentialism and progressivism, and I really resonated with the kind of teacher you want to be. I also want my kids to make mistakes, ask questions, take risks, and be curious. I loved your page and can tell you are going to be a great teacher. - Peter C
Page updated
Report abuse