PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
The Educational process is so important in an individual’s life. Teachers play
such an integral role in the future success of so many people. Education is all about the
student, not the teacher. Each student is an individual and should be valued in his or own
way and feel important while making a contribution to the classroom. The teacher should
be focused on each student’s individual feelings, abilities and talents. In most school
systems today, including my own; the students come from many different backgrounds
and learn in many different ways. We have to develop techniques to reach each
individual student. In order to meet each student’s individual needs, one must take the
time to get to know each student and identify with him or her.
We are moving forward to a more individualized education. All students learn in
their own distinct style and at their own pace. Some teachers never want their students to
go outside the lines. Education is not about turning our students into robots. How
meaningless would life be if we were all clones. That is what makes it great to be an
individual. You are not like anyone else. Differences amongst ourselves should be
encouraged. It is important as a teacher to find the strengths of the individual and apply
that within the curriculum.
Education is about showing the students the different roads they can take. It is not
about choosing the road for them. Discovering our own strengths and weaknesses is
what is important. Too many students are labeled as college bound, technical school
bound, military bound, or someone who should go straight to the workforce. We should
not hold anyone back from what they want to do or try to achieve. Students should be
given choices regarding what they will do later in life and learn in a fashion to be able to
learn for themselves.
A teacher goes way beyond what is required of the classroom curriculum. I have
found that it truly helps in the educational process if the teacher shows a genuine concern
for the students’ well being. Giving respect and showing that you care for the students
will result in a positive atmosphere for the class. I strongly believe that if the teacher
shows an interest in the students’ lives outside the classroom will help connect the
teacher and student. Ask how things are going at home, how they played in last night’s
game, how the play went, what they did over the weekend. Open up the communication
lines between students to teacher. This also goes along with opening up the
communications lines between the parents as well. Encourage parents to be involved in
their children’s education. Do not call the parents only when their child is in trouble.
Call and give praise when it is appropriate. Be open to phone calls from parents and do
not hesitate to call a parent if you notice anything unusual such as a behavior change
about the child.
Recognize the power that you have as a teacher and use your influence to touch
the students in a positive manner. A teacher must live true to him/herself and be
consistent in his/her judgments and morals. The students are not in the classroom for the
teacher to have a job. The students have entrusted themselves to the teacher to teach
them and make them a better person. Use this knowledge to empower the minds of
tomorrow’s leaders.
In conclusion, teachers are not magicians and are not perfect people. Teachers
care for their students and want to promote learning, creativity and bring out the best in
each student. It is all about maximizing your fullest potential. Teachers must be open
minded and be ready to explore new minds and new information. Like I said before, it is
all about the student, not the teacher. If a teacher can just remember to ask him/herself,
“What can I do for my students today?”
David Bishop