Running head: My Philosophy of Being an Educator
My Philosophy of Being an Educator
Sean Connor
Towson University
Principles of Learning Development & Diversity
EDUC 760
M. Heath
June 18, 2014
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My Philosophy of Being an Educator
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Being an Educator
As a father of four children, I have on occasion had to advise them on life decisions.
They sought me out for guidance about what college to attend, what course of study to embark
upon, whether to join the military and which branch, and my impressions of the person they may
choose to join in marriage. Each time I tried to give less and less of my own philosophy and
more often, assist them in finding their own true philosophical, emotional, and intellectual
foundation they had built.
In my life, I have made two career decisions and one in which I chose my life partner. In
each case, I have had to draw upon my values, beliefs, and core traits to make them successful.
When I was deciding to become an educator, I found myself searching for my own foundations
because I knew that to be a good, even great teacher, I had to have the traits, knowledge, and
values necessary to join the profession.
I believe that great teachers share certain common characteristics. Great teachers have a
passion for both their content and their profession. Much of the communication that takes place
between human beings is non-verbal. Our passions in life are conveyed in our words but more
importantly, in our deeds. I am a self-professed history lover and student of social studies and
proud to be one. But you know that I love history by the myriad of books I read, the
programming I watched, the places I vacation. I know that in my words, teaching style and
countenance, my students will feel my love for the people, places and events that have shaped
our world and even our lives today.
Great teachers see themselves as active learners, that they are continuously constructing
new information and developing best practice (Weshah, 2013, p. 547). I believe that a good
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teacher is a good learner. They are a metacognitive learner. A great teacher is willing to be
reflective in order to model self-reflection to their students. With all the changes over the last
two decades in teaching practice, I know that my career will be guided by my personal
commitment that I will learn independently and with the help of others, including my students. I
will provide for them a safe environment to explore new ways to acquire and process knowledge
and then present their knowledge to myself, their peers, and their world. I will model for my
students a life dedicated to perpetual independent and collaborative learning.
I believe great teachers challenge their students and themselves. They understand that
only through effort and diligence can we approach the best in ourselves. The teacher provides the
support and reassurance the student needs as they deal with the frustration that active learning
sometimes requires. Once more, the student should see the teacher actively modeling the same
effort the teacher requires of his students.
I also believe teachers are role models. I believe that great teachers are good citizens and
contributors to their community. We teach our students to participate, to have a voice, and to
protect the rights of others to also have a voice. Teachers defend the rights of students to present
a differing opinion but teach them to present their views in a well-reasoned and structured
manner that others may learn from them.
In summary, I believe that a great teacher is identified by four discernible characteristics:
they teach as structured learning; they teach to motivate learning; they teach to encourage
activism and independence in learning; and they teach to help students establish interpersonal
learning and collaboration (Duarte, 2013, p. 3). I know that I have these same qualities. I know
that I am passionate about learning and teaching. I am committed to developing good students
and good citizens. I know my content but will never become complacent about it and seek
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opportunities to develop my teaching skills and my knowledge base. I believe that much of what
our country needs most begins with education and therefore we need great teachers. I will be a
great teacher.
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References
Duarte, F. P. (2013, January 1, 2013). Conceptions of Good Teaching by Good Teachers: Case
Studies from an Australian University Conceptions of Good Teaching by Good Teachers:
Case Studies from an Australian University. Journal of University Teaching & Learning,
10(1), 1-15. Retrieved from http://proxytu.researchport.umd.edu/login?ins=tu&url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct
=true&db=ehh&AN=89049793&site=eds-live&scope=site
Weshah, H. A. (2013). INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTS OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
PROGRAM ON TEACHER EDUCATION STUDENTS’ ABILITY TO ARTICULATE
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY. College Student Journal, 47, 547-559. Retrieved from
http://proxytu.researchport.umd.edu/login?ins=tu&url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct
=true&db=s3h&AN=90516454&site=eds-live&scope=site