Teacher Education Department of Early Childhood Studies 3214 Austin Street, Houston, TX 77004 713-718-6303 phone 713-718-6235 fax EDUC 1301 Introduction to the Teaching Profession EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT (Common Assessment) Required Component – This assignment (educational philosophy statement-common assessment) is required for completion of this course. If this assignment is not completed with 70% of possible points, you will not receive a passing grade in this class. Program Student Learning Outcome #2- Provide students with an opportunity to examine teacher preparation programs, effective teaching strategies, employability, and the role of educators, as they decide whether teaching could be a satisfying career for them. Project Description EDUC 1301 is designed to provide students who think they may be interested in a teaching career with information related to the culture of schooling, the system of American education, and opportunities to participate in early field observations. One of the benefits of this introductory/foundational course is that it allows students to sort out their feelings about being suited for teaching and their chosen grade levels. As you are gaining more exposure to different ideas, best teaching practices, and philosophical orientations, you should now be able to better determine: your own beliefs about how children or youth learn, the role of the teacher, the role of the learner, the ways you will seek to establish a classroom climate conducive to learning, how you will manage student behaviors, and implement curriculum and instruction. Before beginning this assignment, be sure to go back and read your textbook chapter on the four major philosophies influential in our system of schooling. Also revisit the text’s discussion of the various theories of learning (e.g. behaviorism and constructivism). Think about the aspects of each philosophy and each learning theory and decide which of them best reflect or support your personal viewpoints about teaching and learning. Then, write a 5-8 page paper that clearly articulates your philosophical outlook. You can use the questions that have been provided (as well as any others added by your instructor) to guide you as you develop your essay. Educational Philosophy Paper Outline I. Introduction a. Why have you decided to become a teacher? b. What qualities, skills, talents, and characteristics do you have that employers might look for in a prospective teacher? c. Why is it important for you to establish or develop an educational philosophy? How are teacher beliefs tied to teaching behaviors? EDUC 1301 Common Assessment – page 2 II. Beliefs about Learners and Teachers a. How do you believe that students learn best? What is your ideal learner profile? b. What do you believe is the role and responsibility of student learners? c. What do you believe is the role and responsibility of a teacher? III. Beliefs about Classroom Management, Curriculum, and Instruction a. How do you intend to establish a classroom environment that is conducive to learning? b. What system or approach will you use to manage student behavior? What rules, routines, and procedures will you put into place? c. What do you believe should be the nature of the curriculum? How should it be organized? Implemented? d. What instructional strategies or techniques will you use to convey information and facilitate the learning process? e. What are your views about partnering with parents/families in the educational process? IV. Core Values and Guiding Educational Philosophy a. What is your underlying purpose as a teacher? What values do you believe are important enough to be emphasized in your practice? b. Which of the four philosophies that have served as the cornerstones of education in the U.S. is most closely aligned with your beliefs, values, and other ideas? Why do you think so? c. What other support do you have for the approach to teaching you have selected? V. Conclusion a. In summary, why should an administrator or parent decide to hire you as a final candidate rather than someone else? b. What key points or essential elements of your beliefs do you want the reader of this essay to walk away with? EDUC 1301 Common Assessment – page 3 Student Name Date PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION 4 3 2 1 The document includes all of the relevant aspects of an educational philosophy and clearly discusses: the author’s core values and beliefs regarding the roles of teachers and students; the teaching/learning processes; classroom management and curriculum The document provides clear, specific, and concrete examples to explain and illustrate the author’s views; shows clear selfanalysis and insight, and evaluation of positions held The document includes most of the relevant aspects of an educational philosophy and somewhat discusses the author’s core values and beliefs; missing no more than two of the areas of focus that were provided The document includes only some of the relevant aspects of an educational philosophy and minimally discusses the author’s core values and/or beliefs; missing three of the areas of focus that were provided The document includes few of the relevant aspects of an educational philosophy and does not discuss the author’s core values and beliefs; missing four or more of the areas of focus that were provided The document provides some examples to explain and/or illustrate the author’s views; little improvement needed (clarity, specificity, or concreteness; self-analysis, insight, and/or evaluation) The document does not at all provide clear, specific, or concrete example to explain or illustrate the author’s views; appears lacking in self-analysis, insight, and the evaluation of positions held Connection to Course Content The document clearly presents or integrates into this statement, ideas from one or more of the 4 philosophies that are presented in the text and tells why/how the ideas support the author’s own values or beliefs Structure The document is clearly cohesive and organized; the opening is interesting and engaging; each paragraph builds on the other and transitions to the next; there is a conclusion that brings closure to the topic Mechanics and Style The document has 13 errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar; citations are all provided according to APA guidelines The document presents or integrates into this statement, ideas from one or more of the 4 philosophies that are presented in the text; needs little elaboration on why/how the ideas support the author’s own values or beliefs The document is mostly cohesive and organized; some revision and/or elaboration is needed to make the opening more interesting and/or engaging; a few problems with the building and/or transitions of paragraphs; the conclusion needs little refinement to bring clear closure to the topic The document has 46 errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar; citations are mostly provided according to APA guidelines; some improvement needed The document provides few examples to explain and/or illustrate the author’s views; much improvement needed (clarity, specificity, or concreteness; selfanalysis, insight, and/or evaluation) The document only minimally presents or integrates into this statement, ideas from one or more of the 4 philosophies that are presented in the text; needs some elaboration on why/how the ideas support the author’s own values or beliefs The is only somewhat cohesive and/or organized; much revision and/or elaboration is needed to make the opening more interesting and/or engaging; several problems with the building and/or transitions of paragraphs; the conclusion needs much refinement to bring clear closure to the topic The document has 57 errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar; citations are somewhat provided according to APA guidelines; much improvement needed Expression of Ideas I Expression of Ideas II The document does not at all present or integrate into this statement, ideas from one or more of the 4 philosophies that are presented in the text does not at all tell why/how the ideas support the author’s own values or beliefs The document is not at all cohesive or organized; the opening is not at all interesting or engaging; many problems with the building and/or transitions of paragraphs; the conclusion needs total revision in order to show that it brings closure to the topic The document has 8 or more errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar; citations are not at all provided according to APA guidelines; total revision needed Points Awarded