Statement of Educational Goals and Philosophy Essay

I can still remember coming home from school after an exciting day in the first grade. I would go straight to my room, line all of my dolls up in the floor, and “teach” them everything I had learned earlier that day. But of course, not every child who pretends to be a teacher in his or her early years actually becomes a teacher. So although I enjoyed “teaching,” I never really considered it as a choice for my life-long career.

The nature of students is that of an instinctive ability to learn. Students of ages and all grade levels reflect their surroundings and respond according to their interpretation. Naturally it is not only the influence of a classroom that shapes a student but many outside factors that determine students’ goals and abilities; for example, healthy encouragement from parents. Students may find a natural ability to perform in one area of education and with help may fine tune their ability to better their understanding of other areas. Students have a better understanding of education when it is relevant to their needs and everyday life.

I feel that the goal of education is to open up a world of possibilities for learners. The purpose of education is to show someone that they have the ability to do and be whomever they want to. Education is simply there for bettering oneself and one’s world.

Choosing a career is not an easy task. As a child, I never knew what I eventually wanted to grow up to be, but in the back of my mind I would always say a teacher because I come from a long history of teachers in my family. One of my grandpas was a high school math teacher along with coaching the football team. My aunt is an elementary school substitute teacher specializing in special needs students, while my uncle is a high school history teacher. While, my father is a physical education teacher who has taught at both the elementary and high school level. Growing up around so many teachers made me think I was destined to be a teacher, although at the time, I was not passionate about it, until my senior year of high school. Senior year I decided to take a child development course where I had the opportunity to volunteer daily at an elementary school. I quickly fell in love with the students and decided that inspiring young children to succeed was my calling. It was this opportunity that made me decide that becoming a teacher was my destiny. Last year I declared as a Child and Adolescent Studies (CHAD) to peruse my dreams of becoming a teacher

I remember the early years of my childhood when I arrived at school and was received by the warm greeting of my teachers, who seemed to have special abilities to perceive if I was angry, sad, or hungry. In the classroom, I felt safe and had the confidence to tell my dreams without fear that they would make fun of them, when I was a child, my teachers made me feel loved and protected.

My desire to become a teacher began while I was in junior high school however; my family, friends, and coaches basically turned me against it. They said it was a jobless market with no future. At that age, those people were very impressionable on my decisions, and because of this I became disillusioned about my career, and at that point I just knew I wanted to attend college.

Education is an important time for children. The purpose of education is to aid children as they develop and teach them skills they will need in life. The educator’s purpose is to facilitate this wonderful feat. I will create a safe, multicultural, and diverse learning environment in order for all children to feel comfortable and develop. My personal education philosophy is to be an advocate for the children and their needs.

In the beginning, I wanted to become an elementary school teacher because I loved being around children. With children, I am particularly more patient and protective because I want them to feel safe. It was not until throughout middle school that I began to admire how teachers became role models for students. It was in my nature that I adored spending time with children; however, I saw that I did not have the same passion that teachers did towards education. At this point, I did not know many other career choices besides the careers I hear about the most, such as lawyers, doctors, firefighters, policemen, and more.

Developing a personal education philosophy is a process that may never end, but I believe that I am in the midst of creating one based on my own experiences and the lessons I am receiving in college. After examining the various education philosophies outlined in the “Teachers, Schools & Society” textbook by Myra Pollack Sadker and David Miller Sadker, I have decided that my present philosophy is an eclectic combination of Essentialism and Progressivism. This approach covers my beliefs and the way I hope to interact with students.

Education is a very important part of society. I feel that it should teach children how to function in a society, and learn the basics they will need to expand on for the rest of their life. I feel that it is used to teach moral, and ethical standards of living. The schools are used to help the children learn to function in life, and achieve the goals of their choosing. Education is important because without it I firmly believe that society would be a very savage institution. With the things that we teach in today’s schools we give the power to know the basics such as reading, writing, and math but we also give them the ability to function in a society. As a teacher I hope to set my student of fire. I want to see them come alive with a desire to want everything that is out there for them. I want to be able to make a difference in just one person’s life. If I can do this I would feel I have done what I am supposed to do. I want my students to know the world is theirs to take and do with it whatever they may choose.

This encompasses the philosophies of Essentialism and Existentialism. Learning academics is important but so is being able to be a child and experiencing the play necessary to move through the life skills needed to be a healthy, happy and productive adult.

The purpose of education is to teach children at a young age not only academics, but morals as well. Children behave according to the models they have set before them, and if that particular model is not at home, at least they can receive instruction from school. Education also enables children to learn who they are, and where they may want to go in life.

First, essentialism focuses in teaching through core courses, using the essentials of knowledge and development. Essentialism is a traditional teacher-centered philosophy. It emphasizes the great importance of transferring knowledge from the older being to the younger generation. The teacher is the expert on the subject, and students listen and learn what is being taught. The teacher is also the role model to his or her students. School is the institution students come to learn.

I’ve always believed very strongly in hard work, perseverance, strong moral character. These traits to me are what exemplifies a superior teacher that has the privilege to touch many lives and change the world we live in.

Essentialism will be a part of my classroom because I will be teaching science. Science is part of the basis of