Embedded Files
An educational philosophy is the framework in which educators base their teaching methods and strategies. It is perhaps the most important concept in the developmental process of a teacher, due to the fact that it is the reflection of the educator and is what will keep him/her faithful to the educational principles. To determine an educational philosophy, it is essential to first establish what the purpose of education is. Education creates leaders, independent thinkers, researchers, professionals, and best of all, the future. Its purpose is to develop and create the pillars of tomorrow through the power of knowledge and teaching. Education spreads knowledge of diverse subjects; within them we encounter English as a Second Language (ESL). ESL opens a window to language acquisition around the world. English is the third most spoken language in the world and is a universal language. ESL educators are able to cause an impact throughout the globe by teaching a new way of communication and uniting cultures through two universal devices: language and education.
ESL programs are created for those whose native language is not English. The programs are created upon subject integration, culture implementation, acceptance of diversity, Total Physical Response or TPR (an approach to teaching language based on the idea that if you have to do something physical in response to language, then learning is more meaningful, and you learn faster), activities and creative involvement to help the students better interact with the language. Thus, the learning process will be much more fructiferous and the teaching process much more enjoyable. Of course, there are many factors that affect the learning process, such as, the social environment, family situations, mental health, special needs and other elements. Learning a second language improves brain function and ignites creativity. When we learn a new language we start to see connections we didn’t see before because every language approaches the world in a slightly different way. As a result, we have the opportunity to understand the world from the perspective of another culture and gain a greater appreciation of human society in all its diversity.
The knowledge I hold of language contributes greatly to my island. It provides me with effectiveness while teaching because I am able to use correct grammar while writing and speaking and pass along my knowledge in an interactive and effective way. Puerto Rico lacks English teachers, good English teachers, nowadays all the good ones leave to earn more in U.S.A School Districts, and our students are left with mediocrity, or just nothing. This is the importance of having educators who not only have knowledge of language system, but also of the educational field and the ability to motivate and care for others. However, we should not forget that the students’ families are key in this process. Families move communities, this can be positive or negative depending on the attitude taken towards education, extra-curricular activities and the growth of the community. Some parents are logged off their children’s lives, and this should not be acceptable, the school can be a fulfilling place as long as the parent permits it to be; if the educators do not receive that support in the learning process, the pillars start to break little by little. As a teacher, I must support the role of the families in the learning process, I must permit them in my educational circle and encourage them to interact within this important process, we are also an important part, but if we don’t work together with the student’s nuclear we will never get to them. Support should be for those parents who are involved, and even more for those who are detached, we are the entity who can connect them and improve the situation. Integrating technology is a good way to do it! Technology facilitates communication, instruction process, and the acquisition of resources.
Understanding the current situation of our country, the history of education within it, and all the challenges we must face now is essential to understand the current practices. When we know about our past we can work correctly with our present and plan a good future. We should research about the practices that have not worked in the past and discard them. The educational field is in constant evolution, therefore, those of us within it must grow with it and maintain professional development. By constantly learning, we ensure preparedness and knowledge to spread to our students. Through this process we acquire new strategies and methods to facilitate the teaching process, while innovating our field.
Teachers need resources, but they must also serve as such. They are a direct resource that promotes values while supporting diversity and the learning process of each subject. There is diversity in every way within our students, we must see it and recognize it. While also integrating our subjects to join society and school and create a learning community.
In general, professional development will provide the tools to interact with innovative technology (Apps, consoles, programs), new literature, diverse strategies (discipline, motivational, learning techniques), and teaching methods. When implemented, this all leads us to become better teachers and have a better role in our school community. A good role is one in which the teacher cares for the students and their socio- economic reality, and if a situation is encountered he or she must become involved by seeking the professional help from colleagues of the school (psychologist, social worker, principal). A good teacher is an active teacher, an interested teacher, and a responsible teacher … A teacher with love for what he or she does. Our job is not limited to books and a classroom, it is extended upon the community, the playground, the families, the cliques and everything that encapsulates a school environment. We are mediators, creators, entertainers, caregivers, friends, guides, actors, writers... teachers, and much, much more.
My philosophy within an ideal frame
The ideal society is one in which education is a priority and molded to the student, the economy is equitable for all, diversity is respected, children are protected and nature is preserved. We aspire to a just, equitable society in which respect and freedom prevail; each individual must be free, as long as he/she does not abuse his/her right and convert it into debauchery. The right to freedom requires a great responsibility, which includes decision-making, control, education and empathy. The latter is mentioned because at all times we must seek the common good, that is, thinking of others and placing ourselves in their shoes in order to be able to become more just, in this way, coinciding with Martha Craven Nussbaum, an American philosopher and the current Ernst Freund Distinguished Service Professor of Law and Ethics. This idea is intimately linked to the selection of the government, which regulates a political society and exercises authority. Taking into account the great weight of this task, who governs should be a small team of educated and exceptional leaders who seek the common good at all times such as the good for all professions, ages, races, sex, among others. It is for this reason that this ideal society would be a democratic one, so that the people may decide who their government team will be (within the past description), a group that will guide them to the economic good, welfare, optimal education and solidarity.
In an ideal society the primary concept would be education. This particular branch of culture would be public and equal for all (that is, the same material and goal within curriculums, depending on the grades), however, through strategies and methods it would be molded to the needs of the students; this will allow everyone to have the same opportunities and needs to be covered. To be fair, all schools will follow a curriculum stipulated by a committee of professionals in the specialty area. The goal is not only to achieve the continuous acquisition of knowledge but also the inclusion of values and social ideals in order to create productive individuals and prospects for a better tomorrow. This is achieved through activities inside and outside the school, the likes of literature and discussions of social reality. This is where the PAIDEIA would be implemented, which is integral development (Intellectual, physical and moral).
Starting from intellectual development, we can say that there are different types of intellectual capacities, such as memory, creative and analytical thinking, interpretation, reasoning and vocabulary. Through these capacities it is possible to understand different phenomena, make decisions and demonstrate cognitive development that allows the development in society. According to Plato, everyone has the ability to reason, but some at higher levels than others. On the other hand John Dewey, philosopher, educator and American psychologist, says that everyone has the ability to reason, in the same way. My position leans towards the thought of Plato, since every human being, children, youth and adults can develop these capacities but at different levels.
A great step to reach knowledge is critical thinking, which Passmore, an Australian philosopher sees as the metaphysical gaze, to see beyond what is observed with the naked eye. In order to get students to the knowledge process, the method of observation, the investigation of their surroundings and discussions of social reality can be used a lot. These strategies will lead them to question themselves and continue the search for the truth. Of course, in order to achieve a good response from the students it is necessary to motivate and inspire them. My greatest goal as a teacher is to motivate my students daily, both in the academic area and in the personal area, since how they feel will affect their academic performance. Feeling motivated and being able to internalize that everything learned will help them in the future will lead them to do the maximum within their potential. At the same time, I am a faithful believer in alternative education (classes that do not require exams) since it is not necessary to evaluate based on exams. With this method many students tend to memorize and not learn and internalize. An evaluation based on research, oral presentations and interactive works can develop your intellectual abilities, motor skills and reasoning.
As a future teacher, I will try to ignite the flame of their abilities through exposure to investigative experiences, discussions about the daily reality of the student body, interactive activities and readings that encourage discussion. I consider this an important and necessary action since in order to develop a proper society it is appropriate to start at its root, that is to say, its youth, the sector that little by little enriches culture and the social environment. The product of our schools is a work of art, the canvas (the best surface for painting) is the school, the brushes are the teachers and parents, each brushstroke or mixture of colors is a teaching strategy and in the end, the work of art created, after much effort and dedication, are the students, diverse and bright as each color used.
References:
Greene, M. (1973). Teacher as stranger: Educational philosophy for the modern age. Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth Publishing Company.
Gutek, G. L. (1997). Philosophical and ideological perspectives on education.
Nussbaum, M. C. (2013). The therapy of desire: Theory and practice in Hellenistic ethics. Princeton
University Press.
Skinner, E. A., & Belmont, M. J. (1993). Motivation in the classroom: Reciprocal effects of teacher
behavior and student engagement across the school year. Journal of educational psychology, 85(4), 571.
Weiner, B. (1979). A theory of motivation for some classroom experiences. Journal of educational
psychology, 71(1), 3.
Report abuse