Highlights from Tara Filowitz's 17 years of teaching at Valencia High School (VHS)

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Educational Philosophy

Filowitz Educational Philosophy

In my own personal philosophy of teaching, I believe that it is important to be consciously aware of the theory behind what I teach and the way that I teach. It is empowering to understand the theories associated with my field and to be able to articulate my opinions professionally. Also, I think that it is necessary to be aware of the complex interplay that exists between teaching, learning, and curricular theories in actual classroom practice.

I bring enthusiasm, creativity, and a passion for literature/drama with me into every classroom and my students respect me a great deal. In my own personal philosophy of teaching, I believe that it is important to be consciously aware of the theory behind what I teach and the way that I teach. It is empowering to understand the theories associated with my field and to be able to articulate my opinions professionally. In addition, I think that it is necessary to be aware of the complex interplay that exists between teaching, learning, and curricular theories in actual classroom practice. I have been able to directly put the theories and discussions presented in various course into direct practice in the classroom, and am hugely grateful to the insight that Chapman has given me into the many facets of education.

When approaching teaching, one cannot help but think back to the educators who had the greatest impact – the ones who treated their students with the dignity and respect of an adults. This concept of not talking down to students is very central to my belief system as an educator – I teach high school, because this is the time when students truly do have the mental ability to communicate at adult levels and therefore should be encouraged to do so. I focus on the teachings of Jean Piaget, when he attributed this stage in development with greatly increased cognitive abilities, which can cause conflict as the individual has gained the cognitive ability to reason, dispute, and theorize on an adult level. The student is no longer functioning at the level of a child, so why treat him that way? I do not.

My educational philosophy tends to be somewhat idealistic, a by-product of growing up in Orange County Magnet schools (OCSA), but I am centered in the theories that are based heavily in the principles of Perennialism: Equal education for all; thinking should be ruled by logic and reason; education should teaches the fundamental truths of the world – including basic subjects; education is not an imitation of life, but rather a preparation for what life will be; and students should study great works of philosophy, history, literature, and science and know the significance of the great scholars and leaders. I continuously strive to be an educator who encourages young minds to think.

I couple this philosophy with the firm belief that learners are individuals who bring a unique set of needs and abilities to the classroom and that they should be encouraged to become responsible for their own learning, especially as they mature. This belief represents a combination of many different schools of educational philosophy: Existentialism, Idealism and Realism, in addition to an overall umbrella philosophy of Perennialism.

I believe the school should be the center of the community. I believe every child

is entitled to a free, fair, and equal education as long as the community treats the

institution as one worthy of respect. When the community does not place a value on

education, the job of the educator becomes increasingly more difficult. For me,

personally, I will encourage active parental/community participation in any environment

I teach in – it is necessary to the success of the classroom.

The purpose of the modern educator, or teacher, is to prepare students for the

“real world.” Via education, we infuse the next generation with a sense of nationalism,

social aptitude, historical foundation with its relevance to modern context, and help build

intellect to actively participate (and hopefully better) the world.

Thomas Jefferson had noble intentions when he pushed for the education system to be based on an intellectual meritocracy. Unfortunately, those intentions are not blueprints for the public schools systems of America. Schools are illegally segregated, under-funded, overcrowded, and demoralized. However, I believe that ignorance divides our nation and that the only way to unify us is through education and communication. As a future teacher, my job is to provide the masses with education and inspiration -- to look beyond the day-to-day trials and tribulations of teaching, and focus on the goal of educating society, so that society as we know it can endure and continue to grow and achieve.

Discovering teaching was a natural progression. Starting locally, I started teaching religious school, then Hebrew School, leading to my teaching Acting/Theatre History/etc. at the Orange County High School of the Arts (my alma mater), and now teaching for the past 17 years (1 year: Fairmont Preparatory Academy - 8th Grade; 16 years: Valencia High School - 9th/12th Grade ELA). 

I currently teach and hope to work in the future for the community I grew up in -- to show students that the flashy path is not always the road to success. My aim is to inspire students to love literature and drama – to make it relevant and meaningful. I strive to help my students grow and learn, and their success is all I can hope for.