Philosophy of Education Running head: Philosophy of Education

Philosophy of Education Rebekah D. Gooding North Greenville University

Philosophy of Education Abstract Every classroom is different in the way it is designed, sounds and operates. A teachers philosophy, view of education and classroom management creates the way a classroom is built and maintained. It is important to understand different philosophies in order to become a better effective practitioner, caring leader and lifelong learner. (Teacher education handbook, 2013) A teacher needs to be someone who can maintains control of the classroom and keeps everyone

in order. The teacher must also be able to communicate effectively with the students to show that they are loved and valued. A caring leader encourages, believes and connects with them on a personal level while preparing lessons and being involved in professional development to continue being a lifelong learner.

Philosophy of Education Philosophy of Education Introduction A teacher needs to be someone who can maintain control of the classroom and keep

everyone in order. The teacher must also be able to communicate effectively with the students to show that they are loved and valued. A caring leader encourages, believes and connects with them on a personal level while preparing lessons and being involved in professional development to continue being a lifelong learner. Effective Practitioner I believe that students retain learning during prolong engagement. My most effective teachers taught to my kinesthetic learning style. (Ontario, 2009) My teachers would practice daily and create interactive activities. My teachers would teach my by using manipulatives such as fake dollar bills and coins to provide a visual, hands-on learning to help me understand and remember the concept. In my classroom, I have found that several students learn using kinesthetic learning. Using kinesthetic activities and ideas with my students that my teachers used with me has helped my students to have better understanding the lesson I taught. However when I was not taught according to my learning style, I found learning difficult and ineffective for me. I plan to teach to all learning styles so that no childs best approach to learning is left out. I believe it is essential for students to have organization and a routine in their class. Students have a higher chance to succeed when they have been given clear rules and instruction. When they know what is expected they know what they need to do. In my student years when my teacher gave instruction, I knew what assignment I was to work on and if I finished she would have other work for me. There was never a time where she did not have a plan for those who finished. Since she always had work for me to do, I had less of chance to get into mischief. My

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classroom will be organized and a routine established so the students know what is expected and can succeed. I will create daily routines for morning work, transiting from one activity to another and for dismissal so my students will have the knowledge to know what I expect and will have the ability to succeed. I believe it is important for every classroom to have both consequences and rewards. When a student breaks a rule it is important for the teacher to reinforce the behavior with discipline immediately. This action requires that the student show a responsibility for his action and know what he did wrong. However, it is just as important to reinforce positive behavior with rewards. I saw the behavior change immediately in my classroom when I rewarded a student with a prize when she was the only student who had quickly followed the instructions that I had given to the class. As a child, when I did what I was suppose to and was rewarded I was relieved to see my teachers appreciation for me when I did what she wanted and praised me instead of seeing only the wrong I did. I will give both consequences and rewards in my classroom to reinforce my students behavior. I believe the teacher should keep in touch with parents consistently during the school year. Communication with parents shows them that the teacher truly cares and takes initiative to keep parents involved. This opportunity allows a relationship to be established between teacher and parents providing a ground for discussion about their students, whether it is a good or bad report. Communication also allows parents to be kept informed about what goes on in the classroom. When my parents participated in class activities or took the time to meet with my teacher, the fact they would do that meant so much. I enjoyed taking home notes by my teacher, telling my parents about upcoming events in class or in the school. I still remember the good relationships that my parents had with a few of my elementary

Philosophy of Education teachers. I communicate with my students parents giving opportunities for them to be involved in the class and to know what goes on in the classroom. Caring Leader I believe that all children need to be loved. Children need to see that they are loved and

valuable to encourage them to learn in the classroom. Children have the natural instinct to please their teacher. When I believed that my teacher loved me, there was nothing else I wanted to do more then to please her. In the classroom, I would do any assignment or errand she asked to help her out and was so excited that she asked me. She also would just take the time to talk to me and I loved when she did that. I show my children they are loved and valuable by taking the time to listen to them and developing relationships with them. I believe it is important for a teacher to make herself to feel approachable. For a child to believe he can approach the teacher brings confidence to the student to speak up in class and communicate with the teacher. As a student, my teachers whom I loved and learned the most from where those who made me feel as if I could talk to them. Their smiles and kindnesses have stayed with me for years. I make myself open to allow my students to believe they can approach and talk to me about anything on their mind. I saw one of my students having a rough time all morning and asked if there was anything that was bothering him. He told me that everything was fine, but came back a little later to explain that he was annoyed that he did not understand what had been taught in math. After he finished telling me how he felt, I proceeded to ask if he would like for me to work one on one with him. When he was able to understand the math lesson, his attitude had changed completely. I believe all students should be treated with an equal opportunity but that does not always mean fairly. Every student is different and must be treated in a way that is different and must be treated in a way that is in their best interest. In my elementary class, there was a student who could not

Philosophy of Education focus due to distractions. The teacher decided it would be best to send the student to the library to finish his work. The other students thought that the student leaving was unfair. I plan to give my all my students opportunity to succeed in my class, meaning every student is given the opportunity to learn that is best for the individual.

Lifelong Learner I believe that a teacher needs to have content knowledge. This is essential to teachers because one cannot teach what one does not know. There were many times as a student that I would ask my teacher a question and when she did not know the answer she was honest with me. However, she would always follow up and say that she would try to find the answer and tell me if she could. I consistently gather as much information as possible for my lesson so that I am prepared for questions that my students may ask. I believe that being a lifelong learner is the most difficult part of teaching since a teacher has so many students to care and provide for. She uses all her time to plan lessons, check students understanding, and manage a classroom. Her time is not limited to just school hours but also working at home. This makes time an issue when it comes to reading books on professional development or attending consortiums and other events. I realized that my teachers did not just receive their information; they had to be given and taught the information. They had to read, talk to other teachers or attend different conferences. Sometimes our teachers had to miss school to attend the conferences and would return the next day to tell us what they learned. I prioritize my schedule to ensure that I have time to talk with the faculty to discuss how to improve as a teacher, read books for development and attend conferences to continue learning how to improve my class.

Philosophy of Education Conclusion A teacher needs to be someone who can maintain control of the classroom and keep

everyone in order. The teacher must also be able to communicate effectively with the students to show that they are loved and valued. A caring leader encourages, believes and connects with them on a personal level while preparing lessons and being involved in professional development to continue being a lifelong learner.

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References Teacher education handbook. (2013). Tigerville, SC: North Greenville University. The University of Western Ontario (2009). Learning Styles and Preferences. <http://www.sdc.uwo.ca/learning/?styles>