MY PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY 1

Running Head: MY PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF TEACHING

My Personal Philosophy of Teaching

Katina Williams

University of Phoenix
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MY PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF TEACHING

My graph showed that I am a pattern five, a flowing curve without sharp peaks and

valleys. It suggested either an eclectic philosophy or that I might be a person only beginning to

study my own philosophy. I agree with this to some extent. My thought is that I view the

constructivist learning theories of Jean Piaget, John Dewey, and L.S. Vygotsky as gold. It seems

to benefit students more. I believe that children learn most effectively by constructing their own

knowledge while actively exploring their environment and interacting with adults and peers. I

think that it is very important that children construct their very own knowledge while actively

exploring their environment and interacting with adults and peers because it allows them to learn

at their own pace in their own time.

I believe that teachers should encourage a culture that maximizes student

accomplishment and encourages the development of dependable, self-sufficient, life-long

learners in a safe and nurturing environment. I accept as true that the academic environment

needs to focus on the essentials of leadership development. In today’s society, technology is

essential to the focus of this development.

A simple piece of technology can significantly revolutionize the way teachers’ present

information while enhancing student learning. The majority of our students come from families

who seldom have the time or economic resources to take their children to educational places

outside of the school. I have become aware of this more than ever when focusing on particular

areas under discussion in my reading class. Some of my students have never been to a museum,

have by no means seen the Statue of Liberty or even heard of it. I have students that do not have

a clue of what the white house looks like. When I am discussing particular topics, I attempt to
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supply students with real direct experiences. Nevertheless, our school has difficulty coming up

with the money for fieldtrips to the museum or nature trails. Reading books is the best I can do to

give students some insights on these things. The problem is that books do not convey how

impressive the certain things truly are.

Extraordinary videos and websites can present students with great illustrations and

understanding that will facilitate them in learning. During a lesson, a short overview on the smart

board can have an insightful effect on learning. Furthermore, a Smart Board can act as a

magnifying glass to assist students in learning better. Having a Smart Board in all classrooms,

would be a huge advantage when teaching our large classes because it involves all students by

gaining their attention and allowing every student to participate cooperatively. A Smart Board

will allow all 30 of my students to view what I am going over at the same time. It will be so

much more convenient to get my students involved in class activities. Encouraging students to

read online stories and novels would be triumphant. Exploring online reading including

interactive stories, articles, and books will teach students how to navigate the web and so much

more. I have experienced smart boards when doing a student-teacher assignment at Enterprise

Elementary as a college student. The students were more involve than in any of my prior student-

teaching assignments where there were no smart boards. . Students were creating stories

including adding to stories, creating new endings and illustrations, and aiding discussions.

Teachers can educate students about story writing or history by means of comic book software to

construct their own stories and show it for interactive discussion, or have students design a comic

book with their personal images and dialogue. Math teachers can solve mathematical equations

on the Smart board. Demonstrate each step and involve the students in the process of solving the

problems. Use Microsoft Paint on the board to demonstrate art and drawing methods.
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Wow! I feel good about what I have learned about standard curriculum. In my opinion

students do not do well with a standardized curriculum, every student is treated the same even

though every one of them are different. Students need more than a basic education. A

standardized curriculum does not address students individual learning styles. As a teacher, I

definitely do not treat my students the same. They are broken up into groups according to their

learning needs. Standardized to me communicates to students that they all have to be the same. I

for instance have found that I have several very bright students in my class that cannot pass a

written test but does very well in every classroom discussion about regarding every class

lesson. According to Adler (1997), the curriculum should be a universal. This is almost

impossible currently because the classrooms are so diverse. I believe that standardized

curriculum destroys freedom of thought, as John Holt believed.

As a teacher, I have always tried to make learning more vigorous and appealing by

learning about each student’s multiple intelligences. Every student learns in a different way, but

when given the opportunity to learn in the way that makes sense, I find that my students enjoy

learning more. I do not believe that standardized curriculum works. Students learn so differently,

they are Bodily/Kinesthetic, Intrapersonal, and Existential. According to Holt (1995), Children

desire to make sense of problems; they like to reflect and consider the possibilities. The problem

is that parents and educators get in the way of this natural process by placing children in large,

impersonal schools, and by teaching a meaningless curriculum in an industrialized factory

setting. I have several students in my middle school reading class that are at their strongest when

they are figuring out how things work. I rarely teach directly from the curriculum because it

takes the creativity and excitement out of the lesson. The students always have so much vigor
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when it comes down to hands on activities; this is why I find physical actions to be irresistible

when it comes down to educating.

With extreme pressure from the district and administrative level, students are obligated to

undergo months of test prep questions and practice. The outcome is that students are not learning

anything but how to answer questions on test. It is vital that teacher’s expose their students to

engaging curriculum are students will never fully gain a meta-cognitive understanding of the

content. These students do not have the opportunity to learn. I feel in order to serve our students

better we need to be pulling away from previously failed practice of focused test preparation and

focus on how to meet the individual needs of our students by giving the teachers the opportunity

and support to teach.

References

Holt, J. (1995). How Children Learn (Classics in Child Development). : .

Adler , M. (1997). How to Speak How to Listen. : .

Educational Philosophy Paper

Content and Organization Points Earned Comments:

70 Percent

All key elements of the assignment are covered in a 8/10 Graphs and charts would have
substantive way.
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been appropriate for this

assignment.

The content is comprehensive, accurate, and /or 10/10

persuasive.
The paper develops a central theme or idea, 10/10 Your writing is characterized by
directed toward the appropriate audience. content and selected details that
are relevant.

The paper links theory to relevant examples of 10/10

current experience and industry practice and uses
the vocabulary of the theory correctly.
Major points are stated clearly; are supported by 10/10
specific details, examples, or analysis; and are
organized logically.

The introduction provides sufficient background on 10/10 Your introduction’s content and
the topic and previews major points. selected details are suitable to
audience and purpose.

The conclusion is logical, flows from the body of 9/10 Your conclusion ended rather
the paper, and reviews the major points. abruptly. Your conclusion
should give your readers a
reflection of the entirety of the
paper.

Readability and Style Points Earned Comments:

15 Percent

Paragraph transitions are present and logical and 3/3

maintain the flow throughout the paper.
The tone is appropriate to the content and 3/3
assignment.
Sentences are complete, clear, and concise. 3/3

Sentences are well-constructed, with consistently 3/3

strong, varied sentences.
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Sentence transitions are present and maintain the 3/3

flow of thought.

Mechanics Points Earned Comments:

15 Percent

The paper, including the title page, reference page, 3/3

tables, and appendices, follow APA guidelines for
format.
Citations of original works within the body of the 3/3
paper follow APA guidelines.
The paper is laid out with effective use of 3/3
headings, font styles, and white space.
Rules of grammar, usage, and punctuation are 3/3
followed.
Spelling is correct. 3/3

Total 100 Points Earned Comments:

Percent
97%-5% = Good job on your first paper.
92% five
hours late

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