Philosophy of Education

           Education should be viewed as an opportunity to inspire change and provide students with the necessary tools for learning and succeeding.  Thus, I believe that the key to student success depends primarily upon the teacher and her subsequent philosophy.  A philosophy of education is essential, as it codifies the two basic principles of education, which are: why do we teach? and how do we teach?  
            An education is vital, and the primary mode of educating should be focused around allowing the students to think critically, specialize and advance within civilization, and provide a medium to develop and acquire skills needed to perform life skills.  All students are capable of learning, and all students have a unique perspective on life; it is the responsibility of the teacher to foster in students the uniqueness they bring to education and the confidence that is necessary for meaningful learning to take place.  Thus, my responsibility, as a teacher, is to be confident in my choices and remain a positive role model, thereby setting a good example for my students.  Furthermore, it is my responsibility to have a positive attitude towards learning and to keep learning motivating, interactive, positive and exciting.
            Understanding how students are taught is also important, as it provides a teacher with the tools necessary to foster effective learning.   It is vital that the classroom teacher has an effective classroom management plan; the teacher should spend the first days of schools teaching such procedures and routines that will help maintain a positive, managed learning environment.  The teacher should also spend time engaging the students in learning, as this keeps motivation high within the learning process. 
            Educators must establish meaningful connections with their students, and thus teachers need to afford students with unique experiences and meaningful connections in order to help them reach their maximum potential. It is my belief that the key to student success depends upon the connections made during learning; furthermore, teachers are responsible for providing meaning for students during lessons.  Students need to be able to connect new ideas to existing schema, such as previously learned ideas and personal experiences.  Another key facet to creating meaning is through the process of discussion and writing; from an early age, students should be taught how to effectively communicate and write, and given ample opportunities to practice these techniques.
            Piaget believed that a teacher should facilitate and motivate students in learning.  Thus, the teacher should have a balance of lecture, cooperative learning, and inquiry learning in the classroom. The teacher should ensure that students are allowed to communicate and work together in a group setting as well as have time to work individual.  Teachers also need to provide their students with dynamic assessment.  While there is a place and time for paper tests, the teacher should include research based projects, student portfolios, and journaling.  The teacher should also include technology in her lessons, as it is important to expose students to a variety of teaching and technology mediums.
            Diversified instruction will always ensure a successful education.  Each student has a different mode of learning and communicating; therefore, differentiated instruction is necessary to ensure that all students are given the appropriate scaffolding they need.  Examples of differentiated instruction include peer grouping, whole class discussions, manipulative use and so on.  I also believe in engaging and dynamic activities, as well as whole class participation, to foster student learning.  However, it is my belief that “drill and practice” (through rote memorization) still has a vital role in education; all students must be held to high standards and exhibit mastery in the concepts and skills that they will need for engaging in problem solving.
            As aforementioned, the key to student success depends upon the teacher and her ensuing philosophy; a philosophy of education should embody the two basic principles of education, which are why do we teach?  and how do we teach?