Philosophy of Education I. The purpose of education.

I believe students should not only develop a clear understanding of the core subject areas as well as learning valuable life lessons and how-tos. Students should also experience the ability to choose classes that interest them. Taking these electives will help them develop an idea of future ambitions. During my school experience I developed a clear knowledge in core subjects, math, reading, history, and science. I also learned important life skills such as tying my shoe, how to hold a pencil, how to respect others, cooperative learning, the values of winning and losing. Therefore schools believe students should have complete understanding in both the hidden and visible curriculum (Sadker 325) Competition with other countries, national leaders leading educational reforms and a split from religion have all greatly contributed to the belief of hidden and visible curriculum understanding in students. When the Soviet Union launched Sputnik in 1957, the United States knew they had to rise up to the competition (Sadker 324). We did this by creating a strict curriculum in math and science. In the hidden sense of the curriculum students were pushed to establish critical thinking skills. With Horace Manns development of the common school, he developed the basis of core curriculum and also made sure teachers were well-qualified for their jobs (Sadker 144). John Dewey was part of the progressive movement in that he focused on the hidden and extra curriculum (As American as Public School). He believed in allowing students to take electives and maintaining healthy environments within schools as well as helping students develop meaningful relationships with family and teachers (Sadker 152). With the extraction of religion from schools, teachers could focus on the core curriculum and also teach certain values without creating controversy.

I am student-centered, but I think the teacher should still be present as a leader of the classroom. I come from a primarily essentialist background. It worked for me at the time, but it was mainly based on memorization. However, there have been multiple times where I experienced progressivism, whether it was working in groups or really analyzing ideas. It is the information presented to me through a progressive aspect that has stayed with me throughout the years, whereas the material learned through essentialism stayed with me just for the purpose of test taking. With the teachers role of a leader they should assist in students learning by promoting critical thinking and questioning rather than just telling students what to think. Students learn best by examining and questioning what is being taught rather than just memorizing facts. I want to help provide an education for children that will help them throughout life rather than knowledge that will help them pass one test. Progressivism and social reconstruction are the two philosophies that I can closely relate to. Progressivism is my definition of teaching. It is a learning by doing and thinking philosophy which I think is essential in gaining knowledge in any subject. It is one of my goals as I become a teacher to really get students to analyze certain theories and experiments. Students figure out solutions to questions and problems by getting involved. I also am going to incorporate social reconstruction in my teaching. Social reconstruction focuses on helping social issues and helps students expand out into the community. Not only does this make students well rounded, but it will also help them learn how to make a difference in the world. II. Curriculum: What should be taught and why?

Curriculum is based on experiences, interests, abilities of the students in subjects and working together cooperatively (Sadker 194). For example, students may have a lesson based on

experiments which interest them. In the lesson they will gain knowledge in science through thinking through and questioning each step of the experiment. Also, students may be placed in reading groups according to reading level. The main subjects that should be included are Math, Science, English, and History. There should also be electives and attention drawn to social issues or service learning. The students should learn how to become excellent problem solvers, critical thinkers, and masters of cooperative learning. The students should become little scientists examining every detail and questioning everything about the subject matter they are learning. Also, in my classroom, I hope students will be active in group discussion and every child will contribute to the group equally. Students should be aware of social issues and create plans to solve them effectively. Male and female students could be accommodated in the classroom with blending the two sexes in core subjects, so the class can get different opinions and arguments for certain issues or class discussions. With a more personal topic, such as health or sexual education, it would be beneficial to separate the boys and girls so the students will not hold back any questions because of embarrassment. With English Language Learners (ELL) it would be best for those students to be placed in a slower paced ability group so the teacher and students can work with them on understanding how the progressivism and social reconstruction classroom works (Sadker 68). It would also be necessary to make the ELL student to feel very comfortable and welcomed by the class, so that the student will adapt quicker and contribute to group work. III. Nature of the learner.

I feel the responsibility a student should have for his or her own education should gradually build on itself. When a child begins their education, it is up to their parents and teachers to make

sure they are attending school and doing their own work. As a child progresses into middle school, they should be given more and more responsibility. If the teacher and parents have a solid relationship built with the student, the student will want to attend school and excel in their education. During the high school years, it should be up to the student whether they understand something or not. It is up to the students to ask questions if they do not understand any material. During my high school experience, we were babied too much. We were allowed multiple extensions on assignments and also test corrections. This made me very lazy and did not prepare me for work in the real world nor did it prepare me for college. High schools main purpose should prepare you for the real world and higher education. There are many different relationships built within a school. Students should look up to teachers, respecting them but also feeling comfortable enough to go to them for advice whenever they need it. An example of respect would be students always knowing who is in charge of the class, always following directions, and obeying class rules. Students should always honor their classmates views on certain topics and give effective feedback without belittling anybody. The relationship between students and administrators should be positive. Students should be able to see administrators as a role model rather than someone they are afraid of. Students should feel comfortable enough to talk to administrators about any problems or concerns. IV. Teaching methods that should be used and why.

A very positive and welcoming physical learning environment should be created within schools. Students should always feel welcomed in the classroom and the teacher should create an atmosphere in the classroom so that the students are excited to start the day. I envision my classroom as having bright insightful bulletin boards. Also, I want to have a lot of studentcentered table so the students can work on different things. To incorporate cooperative learning

students will sit in groups. Also, I want to have some posters on social issues so students can have a visual concerning social reconstruction. Strong leadership, a clear school mission, a safe and orderly climate, monitoring student progress, and high expectations make a school effective (Sadker 314). But how exactly should teachers incorporate these ideas in the classroom? Strong leadership should be present throughout the school, as well as in each classroom. It is important for students to know who is in control of the classroom so the school day will go in an orderly manner. A clear school mission should be used in every classroom in the school so that students will all be on the same page. To apply that to my classroom, I plan on having students signing our own mission that everybody in the classroom will always try their hardest and have a very positive attitude towards learning. I first saw this when I went on an alternative spring break trip to the Bronx. The school I helped out in was called St. Lukes Catholic School. The teachers had students had all of the students sign an agreement and I saw a positive impact in their learning because of it in only a week. A safe and orderly climate is also necessary for students to get a complete education. Students should not have to worry about anyone getting harmed while learning. They should have all of their focus on what is being taught. St. Lukes is located in a rough part of the Bronx, but when students go to school they feel safe. It is perhaps the one time they do not have to worry about being harmed. This makes them anxious to come to school. They also strive to succeed so that the teachers will praise them and show how much they care. Monitoring students progress can be incorporated in the classroom through progress reports sent home, and also through assessments that do not affect students grades significantly. The progress reports are a good idea so that parents can stay involved in their childs education. The assessments will tell the teachers what they need to explain more thoroughly so the students will develop a clear

understanding. I will always have high expectations for my students. I hope in return that will make students thrive to learn as much as they can. V. The role of the teacher.

Throughout the school, teachers have several roles in which they should attend to. Teachers should have a proactive relationship with students. Teachers should assist students in accomplishing their goals and also honor students opinions and thoughts. Students should always feel like they can ask a teacher any question and not be judged. Students should also feel appreciated and challenged in the classroom at all times. Teachers and fellow teachers should have a cooperative relationship. Teachers should share effective lessons with other teachers so that students can get the most out of their education. The relationships with administrators should be professional but also positive. The administrators should give teachers effective feedback while focusing on what teachers can do to create the best environment for students. To me, instilling values in children is a very important role in educating. Trustworthiness, honesty, and respectfulness are the main values I plan on promoting within my classroom. I plan on doing this by having students participating in character building activities and also rewarding them for good behavior. This way they will strive to meet my expectations. My job will be to make an impact on every single one of my students lives, help them think critically, provide them with strategies and knowledge they can use for the rest of their lives, and most importantly provide them with a role model. Not only do I hope to teach them the basics of education, but also to teach them to become the best most successful adults they can be. VI. Ongoing Professional Development.

There are many ways I can improve my understanding of progressivism and the other philosophies. I plan to continue to take classes to improve my knowledge about my philosophy and also put my philosophy to use when volunteering in classrooms. During my IDLS semesters, I will focus on the basics, but also how to apply the basics to my classroom in a progressive manner. In my Practicum semesters, I will focus all of my attention in the classes as well as the schools and how other teachers are effectively I plan to be open-minded to different philosophies as my opinion may change. I will use different techniques to see what works the best for me. There will always be room for improvement as I continue to grow into an educator. I need to stop procrastinating, get organized, and stay motivated. I also need to go into all of my classes with an open-mind willing to learn from others achievements and mistakes. I know I will make many mistakes as I become a teacher, but I will learn valuable lessons from my mistakes, molding myself into the best educator I can become.

Works Cited As American as Public School. Retrieved from JMU Library. Sadker, D.M., Zittleman, K.R. (2009). Teachers, School, and Society: A Brief Introduction to Education. New York: McGraw Hill.