One cannot define what exactly an educational philosophy should entail because everyone has their own, different view of what it means to them based on experiences, opinions, and their personality. An educational philosophy consists of one's own beliefs of the responsibilities a teacher has, the role of students in the classroom, the nature of the curriculum, and the purpose of schools in society.
‘Teaching.’ A simple word, but a complex, multileveled profession. People who are not in the profession of education say that anyone can teach, but this is far from the truth because there are specific characteristics that people need to possess in order to teach effectively. The teachers who are compassionate, knowledgeable of their students, passionate, and life-long learners are the teachers who make lasting impacts on their students. These qualities, I believe, are the qualities that differentiate a teacher who simply does the job of teaching from a teacher who understands that their students are the sole importance of the classroom.
A teacher must first be compassionate. Compassion from a teacher is what drives students to feel excited to go into their classrooms and to learn. As an aspiring educator, I have learned in many of my education courses the importance of making a positive classroom environment because if you do not engulf your classroom with a sense of love and care, then students will dread coming to your class and count down the minutes until they can leave. Having a classroom where students feel accepted, included, and cared about is a classroom where students will thrive.
Knowing your students inside and outside of the classroom is one of the most important qualities a teacher must possess to promote student learning and positive relationships. Understanding each of your students’ academic abilities helps teachers in constructing relevant and equal opportunities for learning in the classroom. All students should be able to engage with lessons despite their intellectual or physical differences. In terms of knowing our students outside of the classroom, teachers should be taking the extra step of attending sports, clubs, and theater events to further learn the interests of their students. Knowing our students’ lives outside of school will not only show the students that we care about their individual lives, but it will also enable us to add their interests into our instruction to make learning even more engaging.
When talking to an aspiring or current educator about teaching, you can see that sparkle of excitement and passion in their eyes. The smile spreads across their face and the positivity seems to flow out of them. These are the teachers who you want to be teaching students. If a teacher is passionate and dedicated to what they’re teaching and in helping students excel, then the students will model that same behavior in their learning. Teachers who are passionate will always be willing to do what is needed to ensure that their students are flourishing both in their academics and in their personal lives.
An outstanding teacher must also obtain is the characteristic of being a life-long learner. Teachers at one point were students. Most, if not all, teachers were the type of students who fell in love with learning. This love for learning follows them for the rest of their lives. As a teacher, there is always something new to learn and experience that we can bring into our classrooms to further help our students succeed. The teacher who spends their time reading, attending conferences, watching videos, and collaborating with fellow educators is the teacher who is a life-long learner and further emphasizes that dedication and passion to teaching and helping students.
When it comes to my belief in learning, I believe that every student can reach their fullest potential in school if they are given the correct and most effective ways and techniques to achieve. While in the classroom, teachers depict the role of a motivator who encourages their students to learn. However, teachers should also teach their students to possess the intrinsic motivation to learn. I believe that students learn best when they are internally motivated because then they understand the value of learning and take more of an appreciation for it. Not every child is the same; therefore, the way each child learns will differ. I plan on teaching in multiple ways so then all of my students have an equal opportunity to be engaged with their learning. For example, for my visual arts students, they could create a song, movie trailer, or a piece of art to depict certain scenes from a novel. For my kinesthetic learners, I can ensure that I have a jigsaw discussion activity where the students will get to move around the room and talk to multiple students. For my students who may have a physical disability, I can ensure that everything in my classroom is easily accessible and that I provide them with the proper resources in class so they can be equally involved. We are all unique in how we learn and our abilities, so as a teacher, my job is to ensure that every student receives instruction based on their individual needs.
I believe that students should be able to observe, explore, and dive deep in their classrooms because exploring within the academic materials can help students further find their own passions in life and help them learn who they are as an individual.
Students tend to learn better by being involved with the materials and lessons I am teaching rather than being lectured at, which is why I plan to have a more interactive and engaging classroom that incorporates small group discussions, whole class debates, visual creations, jigsaw activities, and so forth. My belief is that students learn a lot of information from me as their teacher, but they learn even more from each other. I want my students to be able to learn from one another because it is important that students obtain the ability to teach and inspire others with their words, actions, and experiences.
Overall, my view of teaching and learning is that teachers should have an abundant knowledge of both their content and their students as individuals. Teachers must create an inclusive and positive classroom environment where all students can learn, grow, and develop into their own individuals. It is important that students have passionate and dedicated teachers so then they can truly learn to their fullest abilities in both their academics and personal identities.
‘Teaching.’ A simple word, but a complex, multileveled profession. People who are not in the profession of education say that anyone can teach, but this is far from the truth because there are specific characteristics that people need to possess in order to teach effectively. The teachers who are compassionate, knowledgeable of their students, passionate, and life-long learners are the teachers who make lasting impacts on their students. These qualities, I believe, are the qualities that differentiate a teacher who simply does the job of teaching from a teacher who understands that their students are the sole importance of the classroom.
A teacher must first be compassionate. Compassion from a teacher is what drives students to feel excited to go into their classrooms and to learn. As an aspiring educator, I have learned in many of my education courses the importance of making a positive classroom environment because if you do not engulf your classroom with a sense of love and care, then students will dread coming to your class and count down the minutes until they can leave. Having a classroom where students feel accepted, included, and cared about is a classroom where students will thrive.
Knowing your students inside and outside of the classroom is one of the most important qualities a teacher must possess to promote student learning and positive relationships. Understanding each of your students’ academic abilities helps teachers in constructing relevant and equal opportunities for learning in the classroom. All students should be able to engage with lessons despite their intellectual or physical differences. In terms of knowing our students outside of the classroom, teachers should be taking the extra step of attending sports, clubs, and theater events to further learn the interests of their students. Knowing our students’ lives outside of school will not only show the students that we care about their individual lives, but it will also enable us to add their interests into our instruction to make learning even more engaging.
When talking to an aspiring or current educator about teaching, you can see that sparkle of excitement and passion in their eyes. The smile spreads across their face and the positivity seems to flow out of them. These are the teachers who you want to be teaching students. If a teacher is passionate and dedicated to what they’re teaching and in helping students excel, then the students will model that same behavior in their learning. Teachers who are passionate will always be willing to do what is needed to ensure that their students are flourishing both in their academics and in their personal lives.
An outstanding teacher must also obtain is the characteristic of being a life-long learner. Teachers at one point were students. Most, if not all, teachers were the type of students who fell in love with learning. This love for learning follows them for the rest of their lives. As a teacher, there is always something new to learn and experience that we can bring into our classrooms to further help our students succeed. The teacher who spends their time reading, attending conferences, watching videos, and collaborating with fellow educators is the teacher who is a life-long learner and further emphasizes that dedication and passion to teaching and helping students.
When it comes to my belief in learning, I believe that every student can reach their fullest potential in school if they are given the correct and most effective ways and techniques to achieve. While in the classroom, teachers depict the role of a motivator who encourages their students to learn. However, teachers should also teach their students to possess the intrinsic motivation to learn. I believe that students learn best when they are internally motivated because then they understand the value of learning and take more of an appreciation for it. Not every child is the same; therefore, the way each child learns will differ. I plan on teaching in multiple ways so then all of my students have an equal opportunity to be engaged with their learning. For example, for my visual arts students, they could create a song, movie trailer, or a piece of art to depict certain scenes from a novel. For my kinesthetic learners, I can ensure that I have a jigsaw discussion activity where the students will get to move around the room and talk to multiple students. For my students who may have a physical disability, I can ensure that everything in my classroom is easily accessible and that I provide them with the proper resources in class so they can be equally involved. We are all unique in how we learn and our abilities, so as a teacher, my job is to ensure that every student receives instruction based on their individual needs.
I believe that students should be able to observe, explore, and dive deep in their classrooms because exploring within the academic materials can help students further find their own passions in life and help them learn who they are as an individual.
Students tend to learn better by being involved with the materials and lessons I am teaching rather than being lectured at, which is why I plan to have a more interactive and engaging classroom that incorporates small group discussions, whole class debates, visual creations, jigsaw activities, and so forth. My belief is that students learn a lot of information from me as their teacher, but they learn even more from each other. I want my students to be able to learn from one another because it is important that students obtain the ability to teach and inspire others with their words, actions, and experiences.
Overall, my view of teaching and learning is that teachers should have an abundant knowledge of both their content and their students as individuals. Teachers must create an inclusive and positive classroom environment where all students can learn, grow, and develop into their own individuals. It is important that students have passionate and dedicated teachers so then they can truly learn to their fullest abilities in both their academics and personal identities.