Philosophy of Teaching Essay

Having the insight as a former student and a present educator, Linda Christensen wrote about her views on the way English is taught to students in her essay“Teaching Standard English: Whose Standard?” Christensen

“In light of what we know about how people learn, how shall we best teach?”

The purpose of public education is to enable students to be contributing members of society. Without it, the world would not be as we know it today in a very intelligent and complex society. Education is important in very many ways, probably too many to be listed. But I believe that among all other things that it allows students, by being educated, to live their lives in a way in which they can be successful in whatever they do. By learning about the trials and errors of those who came before us permits students to make well thought out decisions later on in their life. I personally hope to be able to better my students' lives by educating them about the overall curriculum and standards brought about

Education is defined as the lifelong process of acquiring knowledge, skills, and values through either formal means, such as schooling, or informal means, such as firsthand experiences or vicarious experiences gained through reading books or discussions. Every person that is or wants to be a teacher has his or her own educational philosophy. We all have our own views, methods, and curriculum that we were taught when growing up. A lot of people may have the same teachers in school, but all of them learn different things from that teacher.

I use three beliefs as my foundation to guide and support my teaching philosophy. First, open, and effective communication between the teacher and student is necessary for successful learning. Second, learning is the result of addressing experiences between the teacher and the student in a small group setting. Third, teachers need to be experts in their field in order to close gaps when presented with inquiries by students. These beliefs are only effective when working together to create an environment conducive to maximizing learning.

My Classroom philosophy has been heavily influenced by a plethora of literature that I have analysed whilst undertaking my degree. However, I believe my practicum experience has helped me apply my knowledge in a classroom context. My personal classroom management philosophy maintains the notion that all students have equal opportunity to learn, and teachers ought to accommodate students of all backgrounds and abilities with the best possible education to ensure they achieve success in their learning. This is achieved through the utilization of stimulating, thought provoking learning environments that are holistic and considers the students’ intellectual, physical, emotional, psychological and social development. A combination of teaching, child development and motivational theories are imbedded in this personal philosophy, by having sound knowledge of varied theories, and drawing upon each unique perspective, teachers are able to apply a dynamic approach that considers the student as a whole.

I believe that teaching is one of the most important professions in the world today. From the very beginning, until present time, teaching has been around. The book of Genesis speaks of God walking and talking with Adam in The Garden of Eden, God was teaching Adam. I will be proud to, one day, be a part of this great calling.

I believe that education extends far beyond the classroom walls, and involves many more people than students and teachers. People should be learning wherever they go, and should continue learning long after they’ve graduated from high school or college. Education isn’t something that can be quantified with tests or report cards, but is instead something that people carry with them. It’s a survival pack for life, and some people are better equipped in certain areas than in others. People with a solid education are prepared for nearly anything, as they will be able to provide for their own physical, emotional, and aesthetic needs.

Every teacher has a different method of teaching. The teachers that I have had in my school career have been no exception. In this way, each teacher has set an example for me, as a future teacher, to follow or not to follow as I see fit. With the examples from my teachers and in continuing my education, I am developing my own method of teaching. I plan to use a combination of teaching methods in my own classroom. My method will be an eclectic approach because I will be using components of more than one philosophy. I will be using essentialism, behaviorism, progressivism, and existentialism.

The class lectures and meetings reinforced the idea that each student is their own individual. That a classroom is made up of unique individuals that learn differently. Keeping this in mind, a teacher needs to have a few “tricks under their sleeve” to keep students focused and motivated to learn. Additionally, educators should create writing

“I have neither given nor received, nor have I tolerated others ' use of unauthorized aid.”

Teaching is a strategizing act of service. It aids students in understanding the mysteries of certain subjects and shapes their mindsets on how they will apply the knowledge he or she acquire about the subject. However, in order to do this act, the teacher will have to have an idea about teaching and learning and apply it in his or her instruction. Conversely, instruction of information should be done in a manner that the student can explicate the information that the teacher is elucidating. This instruction will require objectives for the student and strategies to execute those objectives.

My philosophy of education is founded on the core principle that all children should have equal access to a quality education that will prepare them for higher education and to be contributing members of society. Schools were founded on the primary principle of teaching values to students as well as educating them academically. While values have been removed from the curriculum, I still believe much of what we do as teachers is instilling values in our students. As educators, while there are many elements we do not have control over we can control our perspective, belief in our students’ abilities, rapport with our students, classroom management, collaboration and our role in the community.

In the field of education there could arise many philosophical ideas of each individual teacher. Many of the past philosophies have been and still are used in today’s education programs, such as the Socratic method. My philosophy will also contain some of the many philosophies of the past and possibly the future. I will state the nature of students, the nature of knowledge, the purpose of public education, method, and curriculum according to my own philosophies, which also may be based the philosophical ideas of previous individuals.

Our aim not only for us as future teachers, but also for current ones, is to give our students the tools for them to learn to communicate effectively in most contexts (formal, informal, writing and oral) in English (or in any other case in another language). Also we must guide them to be critical thinkers and to have curious minds