My Educational Goals and Philosophy Statement

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My Education Philosophy

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.

I believe, like the essentialists, that is important to throughly cover the basics of English, writing, math, and science. Students cannot be expected to take on sophisticated concepts if they do not have a good understanding of core subjects. I see English and other core curriculum as tools used for dealing with more complicated ideas; one must learn to use a hammer before trying to build a house. For example, how can a student be expected to write coherently if he or she does not understand the basics of English and spelling? Not all students will learn how to write poetry or insightful essays, but it is possible to teach them fundamentals such as sentence structure and paragraphs.

Learning fundamental skills does mean enduring some rote exercises such as spelling tests, keyboarding lessons, and writing assignments, but it does not mean the lessons have to be boring chores. There are times when progressive philosophy offers avenues for making classes more stimulating. Project-based instruction, a common tool in the progressive approach, is one way to give students an interesting approach to a topic. For instance, students can t...

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... told me that become a full fledge teacher can take as many as five years after entering the profession. Hopefully my life experiences will allow me to become competent in a shorter time span.

I am currently studying to teach English and literature for students grades five through twelve. If I am able to obtain the college credits I need, I should be able to reach my goal within two years. Later I may consider returning to class for a masters degree and seek a career teaching on the college level. No matter where my ambitions take me, I am sure my personal teaching philosophy will continue to grow and evolve. My ideas lean toward the ideals of essentialism and progressivism, and I believe that an eclectic combination of the two philosophies will allow me to offer students the knowledge they need to communicate effectively and appreciate the value of reading.

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