Philosophy of Education

Why Do We Teach?

The goal of school and teaching is to prepare students for the rest of their lives. Schools should aim to build capable, independent, and motivated people who work to understand life's complexities and their effect on society. Through subjects such as Math, English, and History, we teach students to be empathetic problem solvers who can critically think about and research the world around them.

Fulfilling School's Purpose

People often feel that school doesn't properly prepare them for the real world. They feel as though they are gaining information but don't understand how it can be applied to their life. This is because schools don't put enough emphasis on how the lessons can be applied outside of the classroom. Application is an important part of education. Students need to be able to use the skills they learn to further their personal success. When students know why they are being taught what they're learning and how it benefits them, they are more inclined to develop their skills and further their education. The students will come out of the classroom feeling more prepared to face the outside world.

From The Eyes Of Booker T. Washington

Booker T. Washington was a pioneer in black education who believed that black people needed an education that would prepare them for the realities of life. He promoted a system of industrial education that would prepare students for the jobs they would have in the future. I believe there is truth to this method and that students' future plans and occupations should be considered in their education. Research where students can learn about their occupation of choice and discover what they want to do, along with other forms of future planning, should be incorporated in the classroom.

Philosopher in Education

What Is A Teacher's Role?

Teachers should play the role of the guide in the classroom. It is important for students to take initiative in their education, and it's a teacher's job to help them through that. Teachers should allow students to choose how they want to develop the skills they learn in the classroom through projects, research, and group work. Students learn best when teachers allow them to take risks and make mistakes.

Personal Values

I want to become a teacher because the youth of the future need as big of a support system as possible. The world changes quickly and unpredictably, and oftentimes, I feel unprepared for the future. More can be done to prepare students for the rest of their lives. I want to give my students the skills they need to succeed and adapt to our changing world. People are constantly growing and changing. If I'm exactly the same next year as I am this year, I'll have wasted a year of my life. A big part of this is making mistakes and learning from them. Every mistake is an opportunity to grow; if you aren't making them, you aren't trying hard enough. This is something I want my students to understand. I want them to feel comfortable with making mistakes and asking for help. Representation in the classroom is extremely important. I want all of my students to feel safe and supported. I want students to see themselves reflected in my lesson so they will be more engaged and feel more comfortable expressing who they are.

Understanding Our Students

Developing a relationship with students built on mutual trust, respect, and understanding is important to creating a safe and comfortable environment where students can succeed. Students work best when they feel their opinions will be valued and they won't be judged prematurely. Teachers can create this environment by listening to their students' needs, going out of their way to learn about their life or interests, and paying attention to their body language and habits to see if they are uncomfortable.

In The Eyes Of Antiracism

Many students of color are fearful of being misjudged or mistreated based on their race in the classroom. This can be demotivating because it makes a student feel as though there is no way for them to succeed. Actively getting to know students of color shows them that their teacher chooses to judge them based on who they are as people and students rather than on their race. It reassures students that they will be treated fairly and that their teach is there for them and is willing to listen.

In The Eyes of SPED

When students have a diagnosis for a learning disability, it is tempting to want to use that information in the classroom to help them, but disability appears differently in different students. Simply researching knowledge on the disability is not enough to know what a student needs, and assuming things about a student based on their disability can be damaging. Getting to know a student on a personal level and listening to their needs is important to knowing the best way to support a student with special needs.

Pieces of The Classroom

Art & Music

Art and music are important in education because they teach students valuable lessons, such as resilience, patience, and problem-solving, through a new medium. It teaches students how to express themselves and gives them a creative platform to explore new interests. Art and music can create fun lessons that keep students engaged and interested when integrated into other subjects.

Science

Learning science gives student a chance to learn about different aspects of the world and how they work. Students learn how to ask questions, make hypothesises, and find solutions. Through research, experimentation, and analysis students follow their own curiosity and develop critical thinking skill that can help them to problem solve in their own life. Science appeals to students interests and is a chance for them to solves problems that affect them as well. The skills learned in science can be applied to other subjects and butler their academic skill set.

Inquiry

In the future I will add inquiry to my lesson by allowing my students to choose topics they are interested in, do hands on activities, ask and answer questions about their discoveries, and present their findings to their peer in constructive spaces. Listening to students is just as important as instructing students and inquiry allows the students to take charge of their own learning. Creating lessons and projects that allow students to express their interests creates a more engaging learning environment. With state standards it can be difficult to find flexibility in topics but giving students options on how the want to complete a project (ex. giving choice on if the want to do a poster, model, or writing assignment) allows student to express who they are in their learning. Allowing students to become the "teacher" in lesson will also deepin their understanding of a topic.

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