What Is Your Educational Philosophy?
Sunday April 6, 2008
Why did you become a teacher? What do you believe about students learning? How do you see the role of teachers in a community?
All of these questions, and more, are clarified in your statement of educational philosophy, a document you likely wrote in your credential program and haven't examined in awhile.
I recommend you dust off your philosophy and refresh your ideals by refocusing on what you believed about teaching in the first place.
And if you never defined your philosophy in the first place, here's how to do it and an example of how it's done.
Comments
I believe that teachers must be pragmatic about the quality of their work, rather than trying to make sure that it reflects their philosophy of it. That is to say, teaching should be based on what the relevant empirical evidence indicates is the most cost- and time-effective way to develop students’ academic skills and knowledge.
So, there’s your philosophy of education - loud and clear.
What I am about to write about will not sit well with some but that’s okay. While many become teachers only a few are teachers. I have had the privilege of working with many needy students and alongside a few exceptional teachers. The exceptional teachers do not complain about the extra help a child needs nor the lack of parent participation but prides herself/himself when that student achieves. Lately, I have noticed a huge change in this profession and unfortunately for many students it means failure. As a sub TA, I have been witnessing many so called teachers who complain about everything. They complain about the standards and how it’s impacting the way they teach. They complain about not having enough time in the day nor getting paid enough. Yet, I have seen these same teachers taking prep after prep, not following any lesson plans, playing solitaire on the computer, and rudely answering a cell phone in the middle of what should be a lesson. Perhaps it’s burnout or just plain tenure, whatever the excuse these teachers should be held accountable for the failure of their students especially when it’s more than half in the class. Children are no longer writing because copies are handed out, or they type it into the computer and hit print. Penmanship complaints? Mathematical problems? Calculators anyone. Technology has come along ways since the 80’s and while we pride ourselves in being technology savvy fact is our brain needs stimulation. When the systems are down how can we hold our children accountable when they cannot hand out the right change nor write up our order. We are failing the philosophy of education when we turn the other cheek and just go along with the flow. Just needed to say my peace, thanks for the ear.
I totally agree with HR. I’d like to know if I could use a quotation from her comment. I am an EFL teacher, and I would like to share it with my students, future EFL teachers by the way. You know, many people want to become a teacher because they think this is a very well paid job, what they do not know is that it requires a lot of effort, trust and hope for someone listen to your words, but most of the time your payment is low.
Thank you very much.
Libby