My Philosophy of Education

My Philosophy of Education
Sarah Baird
Seton Hill University

My Philosophy of Education

I have not always known that I wanted to be a teacher, but now that I am an educator I
cannot imagine doing anything else for the rest of my life. Over the course of my journey as an
educator, I have been influenced by many sources. These include amazing and inspiring
teachers, professors, students, and colleagues. I have been influenced by different approaches to
teaching and learning, the determination and drive of diverse learners, and the contributions of
parents. All of these factors and more have molded me into the person and the teacher that I am
today, and I hope to continue to learn and grow through more new experiences as my journey
through the world of education continues.
One of the major guiding themes in my travel through the world of education has been
the hands-on approach to teaching and learning. I feel that students are more likely to be
engaged and remember what they are learning when materials are presented in a way that is
hands-on and interactive. The hands-on approach is more developmentally appropriate for young
learners and more meaningful for higher-level students. For example, instead of doing a boring
lesson that incorporated math and physics, I decided to make my lesson hands-on and interactive.
I set up different sized ramps with large rulers at the end of each. I also provided students with
toy cars of various sizes and weights. In small groups with teacher guidance, students were able
to explore with these materials to learn about how different angles would affect the distance that
the cars travelled. They also realized how cars with more weight did not travel as far. In
addition, students were using their counting and measuring skills to see exactly how far each car
would go. The students were engaged for the entire lesson and were able to grasp all of the
information presented about the topic. On top of that, it was fun! The students and I were
smiling, laughing, and having fun throughout the entire lesson. If I can help students to realize
that learning can be fun, then I feel that I am doing a great job.

My Philosophy of Education

In todays classroom, it is more important than ever to make accommodations for all
learners, whether they are students with special needs, students whose native language is not
English, or simply students who have different learning styles. In inclusive and special
education settings, the hands-on approach can also be a wonderful way for all students to feel
included in activities and be involved on a level that is comfortable for them. In my college
experience, I had the privilege of spending two weeks at the Clairview School in Greensburg
observing and teaching students with severe and profound disabilities. From the moment I
walked into the school, I was absolutely blown away and awe-inspired by my experiences.
Working with students with special needs was an invaluable experience for me, and one that I
will never forget. As a teacher, I will be welcoming to all students who may enter my classroom,
and I will focus on differences as being a positive thing. In my student teaching experience, I
was lucky enough to spend six weeks in an inclusive preschool center. At the time, there were
several students enrolled who were on the autistic spectrum. Sometimes they would have
outbursts or act in ways that the typical students noticed to be different. Because young children
are very curious, they would ask questions about this. I always did my best to explain how
everyones brain works in a different way. Our differences make us special, and that is
something that I think students at every age need to learn and embrace.
In addition to students who require additional adaptations, all learners
in the 21st century classroom need a variety of supports. The classroom
arrangement should allow space for group work and collaboration, both of
which are critically important to 21st century learners. Surroundings should
be bright and stimulating, but not overwhelming. In addition, I will focus on
hands-on learning and technology integration as often as possible. It is vital

My Philosophy of Education

for students in the 21st century to be comfortable, not only with using
technology, but with using technology properly and efficiently. Another part
of educating 21st century learners is training students to have leadership
skills and be global citizens. In todays world, students need to learn about
many different cultures and ways of life that are different from their own.
Students also need to be taught conflict resolution and peacekeeping skills
that will stay with them for the rest of their lives, and help them to succeed
in the global economy of the 21st century.
Classroom management is another major factor in my philosophy of education. I
strongly believe in the use of positive guidance as a classroom management technique. In my
experience, students are more likely to respond to this simple method of discipline over any other
method. By using positive guidance, students are more likely to respond to what you, the teacher,
want them to do. Along with positive guidance, there is a need for an encouraging and
welcoming classroom community. In the lower grades, this can be accomplished with practices
such as morning meetings. A welcoming classroom community can be a major building block
for accommodating all learners, including everyone regardless of their background and
encouraging students to do the same. In my student teaching experience in preschool, all
students and teachers were referred to as friends. This created an extremely positive community
and also helped with management. If a student was having trouble sharing, I could say
something like Is it a kind thing not to share with our friends? Students quickly realized what
was expected of them and understood that all members of the classroom need to be treated as
equal partners and friends.

My Philosophy of Education

In addition to welcoming all students, I will also do my best to be warm and open to all
parents and families. Parents are a childs first teachers, and I think that they can be an
invaluable resource to the classroom. Much like it is important to make accommodations for
diverse learners, it is also important to make accommodations for parents who come from
diverse backgrounds or who may have different communication styles or concerns for their
children. As a teacher, the childs needs and the concerns of the parent should always come first.
It is critically important to me to keep open communication with parents and have as much of an
open door policy as is allowed by the district. I believe that parents should be actively
involved in their childs education through activities such as volunteering in the classroom, being
allowed to observe a lesson, or participating in parent education workshops. I would love to
involve parent and family volunteers into school activities, both in-class and extracurricular.
In conclusion, there are many factors that have led me to have the philosophy of
education that I have today. As an educator, I will incorporate these experiences as well as those
I encounter in the future in order to make me the best teacher that I can possibly be to help my
students to learn, grow, and succeed.