My Educational Goals and Philosophy Statement

My Eclectic Educational Philosophy

Thinking back on the years of high school, I remember having wonderful experiences both inside the classroom and out. I had influential teachers and the drive to succeed in order to obtain a higher education. I realize that not all students have that drive to continue their education, but as an aspiring educator I wish to seek and find that drive in each of my students. The famous philosopher and educator, John Dewey, once said, "The aim of education is to enable individuals to continue their education -- or that the object and reward of learning is continued capacity for growth." As a facilitating instructor, I plan to pursue this "aim of education" with an eclectic blend of elements stemming from philosophies of education that already exist while creating and incorporating my own.

The definition of progressive education is an educational philosophy emphasizing democracy, student needs, practical activities, and school-community relationships. Part of this philosophy with which I identify so well is the idea that the teacher should be more than just a regurgitation of their content area. I feel that an important element in teaching students and students reaching their goals is student-teacher interaction. The students should be more involved in classroom decisions when appropriate and as often as possible because, after all, it is their classroom on an everyday basis as well as mine. Because educating young minds will soon be my responsibility, I believe that part of that responsibility is to teach every child that enters my room the proper skills to become more advanced learners and listeners. So, incorporating student intervention in the classroom decisions will help a...

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...dle. I do understand however, on the contrary, that too much communication can be a bad thing, so my job is to only teach appropriate levels of communication and ways to use it.

Being a teacher is something I have always wanted to do with hopes that one day I will be able to have a classroom of my own filled with bright colors and fun, reliable resources. I picture books everywhere of every culture providing inspiration, excitement, and aspiration for each of my students. Artwork will hang from the walls and the desks will be in a neat linear design while smells of candy fill the room; my students will never need for anything. Today, as a college student making my way closer to my future, my hopes of having that classroom are now becoming a reality. As clique as it sounds, I dream of being the teacher that each child wants to have -- some day I will.