Teacher Belief and Philosophy

The evolution of my philosophy on education has been a road with many paths, in
which new routes are opening everyday as my experience grows. Fundamentally, a
strong belief of mine is that learning is a never-ending process; it is important to keep an
open mind so that new opportunities can exist. Lifelong education is possible as long as
one accepts the fact that there is always more to learn. One of my guiding principles
about teaching and learning is that everyone is a student as well as a teacher. Different
styles, techniques, and timely manners need to be presented when teaching because
everyone learns diversely in regards to their individual needs. Further, I believe that
students are a reflection of the teacher. Students challenge teachers to create a powerful
and diverse learning experience. Another strong belief of mine is that everyone has the
potential to learn and to be creative; teachers have the key to unlock that potential.
Having knowledge about adolescent development and psychological learning
theories is important when unchaining a students capabilities. Being cognitive helps one
understand a learner and their experience. Teachers need to be aware and understanding
of how adolescents process events and perceive the world. Adults reflect on memories, in
which the results have already been presented. Teenagers are currently living in those
experiences and are comprehending them with different emotions. Additionally, the
cognitive centers in the brain develop into adulthood. One example of this is the frontal
lobe that controls decision-making, planning, impulse control, and memory. Another
example is the Temporal Lobe that controls memory information and visual/auditory
information. Both of these examples are parts of the brain that develop into an
individuals 20s and are vital when learning. Research has found that adults and
teenagers read expressions differently due to the activity occurring in different parts of
the brain when processing. Adults were correct 100% of the time when reading facial
expressions, whereas teenagers were correct only 50% of the time. This is important to
remember and to take into consideration at all times because adolescents and adults
interpret things differently. To account for this, teachers need to practice good classroom
management, promote a rich and diverse learning environment, and balance collaborative
and individual learning. Teachers can help students develop physiologically, emotionally,
and cognitively by helping them grow as individuals.
I support Eriksons theory of personal/ego identity through learning. This theory
is implemented through helping students find who they are. By challenging them and
putting them into situations where they can be independent, they will make choices and
develop their individuality. Teachers need be positive and encouraging constantly; they
need to promote critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and innovation to help
students become active citizens within a community. To assist students grow and
develop, teachers need to set clear goals, intellectual challenges, and high (yet
reasonable) expectations for the students and themselves.
To conclude, I believe an individual never stops learning. The impact from
teachers resonates throughout their entire life. By creating a climate that welcomes
originality and open mindedness teachers can help students become the forefront of the
next generation.