Running head: STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY
Statement of philosophy
Pavlina Steffkova
University of Montevallo
ED 402/502
Mr. Fisher
October 27, 2011
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STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY
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Article I. Education
I believe that education is an essential part of one’s development as a person. I also believe that
the main focus of education is to provide students with the vital tools for them to form their own
beliefs, their personal values, their sense of self, and their ability to function in the society.
Therefore, I will strive to equip all students with the skills necessary to develop their own ideas,
thoughts, and opinions about life through active, engaging, and collaborative learning.
I believe that education should foster the individuality of all people, and promote the importance
of the differences that exist in the world. Therefore, I will instill an education that allows
students to express themselves without the fear of being ridiculed. I will also strive to create an
environment where diversity is not only accepted, but also embraced. I believe that students are
active learners in this process, and should be the focal point of education. Therefore, I will strive
to establish an atmosphere conducive to discussion and analytical thought-process.
Article II. Curriculum
I believe that the nature of knowledge is constantly evolving. What is true today may not be true
tomorrow. The human nature is to continuously develop and derive new truths, new methods,
and new systems in all areas of our existence. As a result, it is important for students to acquire
the ability to adapt to the ever-changing world around us. Therefore, I will strive to help
students develop an overall understanding of theories, facts, statistics and their respective
meanings. Further, I will strive to help them see the various applications of such knowledge, and
the implications they may have on our society.
I believe that the educational curriculum should afford students with real world experiences and
hands-on activities to inspire them to explore their knowledge beyond the facts of their
textbooks. I believe that students will be better members of our society if they know how to use
their knowledge rather than just knowing the facts. Therefore, I will strive to instill in students
the importance of understanding how to apply the learned material in real life situations.
I also believe that students are better learners of information in which they have a personal
interest. It is vital to cultivate these interests, and to incorporate them into the learning process.
Therefore, I will strive to capitalize on the students’ interests by carefully selecting examples
connected to their lives, their hobbies, and their curiosity.
Article III. Teaching
I believe that teachers are the guiding force in the students’ quest for knowledge. Teachers
should prepare students to be independent learners, to acquire problem-solving strategies, to
develop an understanding of the world as a whole, and to embrace all the differences that exist in
the world. Therefore, I will strive to provide students with opportunities to develop their own
perspective on life. By making connections to the students’ personal experiences, and to their
current understanding of the world, I will strive to show them how learning will enhance their
lives.
STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY
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I also believe that communication is a vital part of one’s skills necessary in all aspects of life.
While communication happens in multiple forms, all students should learn at least one form that
will enable them to become active and successful members of our society. Therefore, I will
strive to create a learning environment based on mutual respect, trust, and honesty. Through
these values, I will strive to help students develop effective communication skills, which they
can use, along with their knowledge to succeed in all of their endeavors. In order to create such
learning environment, I will strive to mirror every day life activities within the classroom setting.
Article IV. Schooling
I believe that schools should provide a safe environment free of prejudices, and free of hatred
where students can learn and express themselves. Schools should also promote all forms of
learning, and capitalize on students’ interests. I also believe that schools should not remain
stagnant in their development of curriculum, and should take into account the ever-changing
world around us. Therefore, I will strive to work together with fellow teachers, administrators,
and staff in search of an educational environment that provides all students with the same
opportunities for success.
I believe that schools should provide students with a structure that effectively enhances their
learning. Schools should create a nonviolent environment where students can learn to interact
with other members of our society. Therefore, I will strive to develop an effective and efficient
classroom management structure that shadows the school’s overall policy. I will also strive to
promote the positive aspect of a diverse culture, and the many lessons such diversity can teach
us.
I believe that as an educator, I subscribe to the philosophy of progressivism. Since it is a
student-centered philosophy, it closely corresponds with the constructivist psychological
orientation. The progressivist-constructivist philosophy represents my beliefs of the world,
where truths are constantly evolving, and real life experiences are necessary for further learning.
Students are the central point of education, and their interests play a crucial role in the
development of the curriculum. Within this philosophy, the educators serve as the facilitators of
instruction, guiding their students as they develop their own ideas, thoughts, and opinions of our
society, and the world.