Teaching Philosophy
Since elementary school I have wanted to be a teacher. My mom is a teacher and my dad taught school for three years. I have been involved in school functions with them for as long as I can remember. I enjoyed going to various activities and helping to do whatever I was allowed. The only decision I had to make was whether I want to be: an elementary teacher or a secondary teacher. Since I love sports, I have decided to be a Physical Education and Health teacher. I would also like to be a coach since I have been in sports since middle school.
The nature of each student is different. There are no two students the same and therefore, you have to teach each as an individual. Some students will catch on to a concept easily, while another student will have trouble. Some students are in school to get an education and do wellfor themselves, while others are in school because it's the law they have to attend until they are16 years old. The students that want to be in school will not cause as much trouble as the onesthat are there because they have to be there. Some students will always have their homework,
while others won't do it at all. Some students need to know that someone cares about them enough to "push" them to do better. Many students today experience some type of family problem that they bring to school with them.
The purpose of public education is to prepare students for the rest of their life. Education should help mold a child's life and show them opportunities for the future. Sports, tests, and papers are a few tools that help prepare students to become better people. Parents don't take time to teach their children things they should, so it's up to the school to do the job of both family and schools.
As a teacher I will be a progressivism and social reconstructions type teacher. I will let the students have a say in what goes on in the classroom. My classroom will be an active classroom so all students can participate. Students that do not participate do not learn.
I feel that as minority it is very important for me to complete my teaching degree, there is a small percentage of minority teachers in the state of West Virginia. I feel that I will be a role model for children of my nationality and for all nationalities, by making a difference in their lives and showing them on a daily basis how important a good education is for all, and especially for minorities. From interacting with children and people in general, I know that most people learn easier from hands on interaction. When I become a teacher most of my lessons will deal with hands on learning. When you are doing something, it is easier to remember and it makes learning a lot more fun. I will also make sure that my classroom is very relaxed and stress free, I have been in school for many years and I know from experience that it is harder for children to learn when the teacher is mean and there is always tension in the classroom, this prevents students from asking questions, and asking for help, which means that it prevents them from learning.
As an educator, living in a country where public schools are not as praised, or in the eye of the public, are not as strong as they are in other countries, I constantly ponder about the question: what is the purpose of public school education? Lots do not contemplate about the purpose of public schools, forgetting that this question is probably at the base of all schooling.
When I walk into a classroom I look at every student and set goals for myself and hope that everyday when I leave that classroom I have taught someone something new that they didn't know before they met me. As a teacher I hope to accomplish achievement in my classroom. I will only set my standards at a high level because that is how I was taught when I was a child, I will not push my students to do more then they think they can. I always remember having a teacher walk into your classroom the first day of school and saying, "I want to be just like that when I grow up." I hope my students can look at me and say that and I also hope they learn something they didn't know before. In my classroom I want my students to enjoy themselves but at the same time I want them to walk out of my classroom with a new perspective.
The overall philosophy of my classroom will be that the students learn as much as possible about mathematics and life in an enjoyable environment where I can serve as their teacher and friend. My goal in life, as a teacher, is to improve the lives of as many students as I can both intellectually and emotionally. When teachers teach their students to successfully and happily survive in this world, they have truly done their job.
As individuals who will one day become the future of their own community, the importance of them receiving an education increases. Public schools are places where people are given the chance to learn. The ability to learn, improve, and explore different areas is innate. As children, we learn to speak and walk at a young age. As children mature, they learn more words and processes. These skills that we learn are a part of us and therefore are part of our basic rights. Public schools become the place where individuals are presented with the opportunity to explore new areas to find what they enjoy and learn about those particular areas to a point where they become experts at their field.
My goals as a teacher are to help students communicate effectively and foster a desire to learn. I believe these two characteristics are important for students to have because despite what problems they encounter or what situation they are in, the ability to communicate effectively will help them in working with others and the desire to learn will motivate them to make positive changes in their life. As a teacher, I want my students to become interested in learning, both in school and in their personal lives. With these two goals in mind, my role as a teacher is to help them acquire these skills and values. However, effective communication is one of the hardest tasks for teachers because we all communicate in different ways and through different means. This is why teachers also need the desire to learn because it will motivate them to learn more useful ways of communicating and connecting with the students. To help students attain these goals, a teacher who leads by example can demonstrate to students how to communicate to others. In addition, if teachers are excited about what they teach, they will create a better learning environment that will motivate the students to learn. My philosophy of teaching consists of these two traits because after they leave my class, I want them to continue their education with the desire to learn more and to communicate this desire and the skills they have obtained with others.
Education is the means by which a student gains the tools for a successful future. Through education, a teacher is not only teaching facts, but also teaching life skills. Education teaches students discipline, responsibility, and many other life skills. As a teacher, I hope to instill these skills in my students. I also hope to help them develop as adolescents. Education should allow students to fully understand and discover themselves, in addition to giving them the ability to survive in the real world. Education involves respecting every student's race, sex, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and religion. Education should teach the students to think on their own, and to accept and embrace their individuality.
Stephen Brookfield (2006) defines a teaching philosophy as “…a set of values, beliefs, insights, and convictions about the essential forms and fundamental purposes of teaching” (p. 255). A teaching philosophy should serve to support a teacher and guide his or her actions so that the students’ best interests are always of primary focus. It should also come from within and be an extension of the teacher’s identity. When we consider the difficult environment and circumstances that students face today, the authenticity and actionability of a teaching philosophy is paramount.
Education is a very important aspect of our lives. It is our education that makes us who we are and determines what we become. Therefore, education is not something to be taken lightly. As a teacher, my goal will be to provide the best possible education for my students. Every student is unique. I must see students for who they are individually and respect their ideas and opinions. Each student has a different learning style. I must take this into consideration because I want to provide a constructive learning opportunity for every student. I believe that every student has the potential to learn.
Ralph W. Tyler, an influential figure in early twentieth century educational reform believed that “the purpose of life was learning.” He said, “When one ceases to learn, one ceases to live life to the fullest. The biological basis of man has changed little since the cave days. However, each generation creates new ideas and elaborates on those ideas which have previously existed.” With education, ideals set forth from a society or culture can be preserved and create a powerful generativity of knowledge, linking the past with the present while ensuring future posterity.
A teacher is not what I have always wanted to be. As a matter of fact, it wasn't until I had taken several of my general studies classes that I made a commitment to teach. Having played football through middle school and high school, I just assumed that whatever I did would have to be related to football. It was, however, during a time of reflection that I thought about a former football coach and the rapport that he had with me and other players. He wanted to bring out the best in each of us. It was then that I realized that I wanted to do the same.
Teaching is not about being a figure of authority, being in control or the adage, “June, July and August.” Those who are in the education profession with those goals in mind will not be effective teachers and they fail those who find themselves at his or her mercy in the classroom. The most effective and successful teachers are those who found it was all they ever wanted to do; found a passion for it that lasted through the tedious process of educating by state standards to make it their profession. They are “called” to teach, another adage in regard to those who are obviously doing what they are best suited to do, something they have a passion for. Anyone can be taught to play a musical instrument to some degree or other but only those with the talent seemingly born in them will become masters of their instruments. It truly takes more than practice and the same is true for the teaching profession; it requires a love and born in talent.
Teaching Philosophy The most important impact I want to have on students is that they remember me as a teacher who cares about their education. I want to leave an impact on each child’s life. My motivation to teach comes from a desire to help others and see student’s excitements as they learn new concepts. I believe teaching is my way to make a positive difference for each of my students.
If teachers really care about making sure that a student is getting the proper education and learning what they need to learn, they would never say that or even have that mentality. They fail to realize that by putting less interest in helping the youths will only hold them back from moving forward to the next step. Also, the system suspends many kids out of the school because it is in the disciplinary code. Students that get kicked out of school for a long period of time start to miss out on school work and eventually start to fall behind and fail. When things like this start to happen, it only leads to the youth dropping out of school. It also leads them into a depressant mode. And depressant mode only leads to one thing and that is committing suicide. At this point in life, we cannot afford to allow the youth to stay away from school. In order for any youth to find a job they need their education and staying away from school cannot help that. There is punishment for every wrong action that a student may do, but keeping them away from school for a long period of time does not fix the situation because they end up missing work. Some students do not take the full advantage of public education. Maybe because of the simple fact that it is free they feel as if they can fool around with it. According to Gatto, "We have been taught (that is, schooled)
I see myself being a democratic teacher. I will be a teacher that has a backbone, but is also assertive and