Pedagogical Creed- June 15, 2025- Melissa Spencer
I believe that education is a vital tool to help humans learn, grow, discover, and act to make changes in themselves and the world. Education gives humans the opportunity to consider the true nature of subjects and topics. All human beings are entitled to quality learning experiences and will benefit from formal and informal education opportunities. Every person of every culture, gender and ability will benefit from and needs to have access to education. Learning is a life-long pursuit, and people of all ages must engage in learning experiences. Learning is critical at an early age when world view and character is forming. Learning is likewise enriching and valuable for adults. And as we become educated, understanding is enlarged, perspective is widened, compassion is deepened, and wisdom is increased.
I believe that the goal of education is centered around change- change in people, families, communities, and society. Through deep learning and understanding we see the world through new eyes and are changed forever. Education makes us better people. It helps prevent a lifetime of struggle and instills proper habits in our souls. Education is a means of enhancing our inherent nature and helps us grow in patience, thoroughness, precision, confidence, tolerance, timeliness, preparation, analysis, teamwork, human expression, and critical thinking. Quality learning experiences help us make connections between topics, subjects, and our everyday lives. Education is related to the real world- useful, practical, and necessary for our change. Education should be an organic, natural, and integral part of how we learn about our world. Students should be exposed to a wide range of concepts and their understanding well-rounded. Education is vital to our knowing, doing, applying, and becoming. Through educational experiences we move beyond where we started, and there is valuable growth and progress that is evidence of our change.
For education to be effective and meaningful, a healthy relationship should exist between students and teachers. Students should be actively engaged agents who are internally passionate and motivated learners. In my students I value curiosity, creativity, individuality, identity, excellence, and excitement. Students and teachers should have mutual respect and work together with one another, building sociality and growing in learning. Teachers should be intentional educators who provide satisfying, meaningful, and culturally relevant learning opportunities. To be a powerful teacher, one must be skilled and compassionate. Teachers should make efforts to foster positive student attitudes towards group and independent learning, have zeal towards the topic they teach, and be committed to creating environments that value learning momentum. Under these circumstances, students are enlightened and inspired to grow.
Good teachers use a variety of methods to offer a quality education. They scaffold content to help learners smoothly and effectively learn in appropriate sequences- one piece at a time- in logical ways. Teachers consider the balance and benefits of intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivators. Problem-solving, hands-on style learning is preferred over lectures and note taking. Subjects aren’t just “observed” or read about. Student choice is a critical consideration- students need to be given options and their agency by allowing them to learn and demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways. When this is taken into account then learners take accountability for their education and more often stay engaged. While assessment is an important tool to show teachers what their students know, I feel that standardized tests aren’t a great measure of a student’s capacity to learn, nor do they tell us much about one’s work ethic. When teachers possess and implement a diverse toolbelt of educational methods, learning becomes more effective, and students aren’t held back by as much friction or pressure.
There are positive and negative long-term consequences related to education. Societies that promote education (and students who embrace the work necessary to learn) shape individuals, communities, and the future world. I believe that educated human beings are more selfless, have deeper levels of compassion, and grow in understanding. People who focus on learning do a better job of contributing to families, communities, and the body of knowledge in the world than those who do not make education a priority. When many people choose to learn, society becomes a place where we work together to lift one another and make our world a better place.