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Teaching Philosophy Essays

Decent Essays

Teaching Philosophy

I take a completely humanistic view when it comes to educating children. I believe that Maslow was correct in his belief that people genuinely strive to reach the highest level of their capabilities. I also believe that everyone can reach his/her "self-actualization" if their lower hierarchy of needs are met first. I want to focus on three things: Maslow's levels, how they affect children and educators, and what I feel is the best tool we can give our students before they head out into the world of independence.

The first level of Maslow's pyramid is basic physiological needs. I know that not every child will walk into my classroom having these needs fulfilled, and for me to expect them to gain much if …show more content…

Phrases such as "better carry a gun to class" or "better watch out for those kids in camouflage." these phrases don't make me afraid; they make me angry. If people would stop joking long enough to take classroom safety seriously, no child or teacher would feel threatened at school. I want myself included in my classroom community. I want everyone in that room to feel that they have someone else looking out for their care and safety. I will never give up on trying to make kids see beyond themselves to view the big picture. This does not have to be a dog eat dog, rat race world. If my goals of a true classroom community are reached, then I won't even have to work on Maslow's third level of love and belongingness; it won't be a problem.

Children have a keen sense of another child's self-esteem. They seem to have radar that can pick up on the weakest child in a classroom. A child that feels that he/she is not worthy of friendship or that he/she is a failure at all they do seem to send out signals that can be felt by the other students. Some children respond to that in a loving and protective manner. They are always the one rooting for the underdog. Most children, however, respond by picking on this child, taunting him until he cries, excluding him/her from group activities, and games, etc. It is the teacher's responsibility to help set the acceptable standards of behavior in the classroom. Too many times I have seen teachers respond to these weakened children in

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