My educational philosophy has been influenced by many factors. It is also not complete; I believe my philosophy will continue to grow as I do. My calling to the field of special education came naturally to me. I couldn’t see myself being in any job field other than education. In my paper I will discuss the following topics in order: the role of the learner, the purpose of schools in society, the duties of teachers, preparing students for the 21st century, and my ideas on classroom organization. I will discuss how my philosophy of education fits into each of these categories.
As someone who believes in Progressivism and Social Reconstructionism, I believe that students should be able to explore and develop their own personal growth through education. The learning experience of students should be experimental, fun, and real-world based. Students should be able to relate to the information they are learning. Also, I believe the students should be their own teachers. They should be able to choose how they want to learn, and what they want to learn. Teachers should be guides to help students stay on track with the curriculum and help the student strive for success. This idea of teaching is completely student centered. As stated in The Finland Phenomenon, I believe students should do 60% of the talking and teaching and the teacher should do 40%. This allows students to become more responsible for their own educational success and gives them a sense of empowerment. Also, it allows student to have more hands-on experiences, more critical thinking, and problem solving.
The education system we have now in America is failing the majority of our students. There needs to be a complete reconstruction of the system in order to help our kids. Right now our schools are only concerned about the adult needs. We are trying so hard to protect the jobs and programs at schools we are failing to address the students. We continue to have failing educators who are under tenure and cannot be disposed of. Students must always be the number one concern in the schools, community, and budget. If our schools were more students based I believe we would have higher test scores and lower dropout rates. Students’ input helps them control their education, and if they feel in control they are more likely to want to achieve more.
Our classrooms need to be more open to different teaching styles. Students learn best through experience. Classrooms where there are hands-on activities and experiments will benefit students more than a lecture. Students can manipulate the experiences to fit their own style of learning and relate that to their own lives. Students can explore and find ways to make every lesson fun and educational. This will create a safe learning environment for all students and can indirectly affect many other areas of the school.
Lastly, I believe that schools must do a better job of preparing students for the “real world.” Instilling values that students will need in their everyday lives is imperative. Every school is different and some students are exposed to more diversity than others. It is every schools job to produce respectful and knowledgeable citizens. Also, another quality student learn through school are their social skills. So, by having an open area for expression is very important.
I believe that everyone has the potential to be an amazing teacher; they just need to be relatable. I know in every class I’ve really enjoyed and excelled in I had an amazing teacher. Your duty as a teacher is to help your students grow and learn, but also to been seen as an equal. As a teacher I think your students should think of you as an equal mind. We are not superior to our students; we are there to be with them on their educational journey. Also, I believe you must have compassion for every single student. An effective teacher is patient, understanding, relatable, and willing to spend extra time.
I feel very strongly that students learn best when the curriculum includes a hands-on learning. I think active learners are more engaged in their schooling. In special education I believe it is crucial for students to be able to use critical thinking and problem solving. Special education students really need that interaction in order to be engaged. Lecturing is a thing of the past, and has been proven to be ineffective. I believe Progressivism and Social Reconstructionism teaching are important factors in the ability to change the educational system.
As a student of the 21st century I realize the importance of change, especially with technology. It is of growing importance that students in the U.S. keep up with technology. I believe this mindset is actually become detrimental to students. They have become so dependent on technology their communication skills have suffered. Also, problem solving has taken the backseat to Google. Today’s employers are looking for people who are technologically savvy, but also great with communication and collaboration skills. If we implement a Progressivism and Social Reconstructionism philosophy students will have more opportunities to develop those skills.
America has been continuing to slip in global competitiveness. We are being surpassed by many countries by astonishing numbers. Companies are hiring people from other countries because they are equipped for the new 21st century jobs. The newly graduated students in America are just not up to standards that employers are looking for. They have little communication skills or problem solving skills. Also, many people have become completely dependent on technology. I believe we need technology to advance in the world, but the U.S. educational system must do a better job of incorporating technology with communication and analytical skills too.
In order to produce a safe and effective learning environment classroom organization is a must. In my classroom I want my students to feel comfortable to explore and grow. It is very crucial in helping students reach their full potential. If the student is detached from the room they will have a much harder time connecting to their education. A welcoming open environment that encourages positive attitudes is a classroom that will help students become more involved in their education.
Classroom management is imperative in every classroom. The classroom should be a safe place for students to grow and learn. So, there must be well established rules and procedures to ensure an effective learning environment. I believe students should have a role in deciding the rules and procedures they will be following. If they have input into the final product I think they will be more likely to follow the rules. The structure a classroom provides will help students in the future to establish a health and responsible lifestyle. Being proactive with your students will help establish an equal ground.
In conclusion, my philosophy of education focuses on the students. I want all of my students to reach the highest level of achievement possible. My calling is to become a special education teacher and I believe my style of Progressivism and Social Reconstructionism is perfect for changing the educational experience of my students. I want my students to realize their potential and that they can achieve great things. Every child should get the highest level of education, and I will be there to help them along their journey. I will provide a safe open environment where my students can express their feelings and grow. I will be one of those teachers who makes a difference in my students’ education and lives.
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