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here's mine, hope it helps.
By Rachel

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Philosophy of Education

I I believe education should be painless. I believe that the education of students should be a partnership between teacher and student. An education is the greatest gift we can give a student.
Students approach education in different ways. Some are easily stimulated and are easily taught. Others are harder to reach. The trick is to balance the teaching approach to benefit each student as an individual. I believe education should encompass a variety of experiences that add up to a complete entity, the educated child.
II I believe all students need encouragement, a stable
classroom/school environment and a chance to succeed. In our modern world of fast moving images and strong media influence, a student’s ability is often taken for granted. Since we are inundated with information it is easy to assume students are being educated when they are out of the classroom. In most cases however this is not the case. Students need a stable classroom environment in which to be the students they are and learn what they need to know.
Each student deserves the chance to succeed. By manipulating some situations it is possible to give each child the satisfaction of being a success. By manipulating I mean playing to a particular student’s strength when appropriate. Students are fragile and it doesn’t take much to turn them off of school. In a stable environment which is rich is encouragement and chances for success, a student has unlimited potential to do well.
III I believe the learning environment should include a large variety of learning materials, an area to showcase student work, and plenty of books and technological equipment. Different students are interested in different things. Some like books; some may be interested in models and gadgets. A learning environment should reflect the variety of the students. In order to include all students in the class in the learning process, all students should be taken into consideration.
Students spend so much time in the classroom that seems only right to make the classroom-learning environment their own. I believe by showcasing student work it encourages all to do the best possible work. A classroom rich in books and other print media promotes the message that reading is good. A teacher who reads and allows opportunity for students to read is planting a seed. It is never to late to create a reader.
In terms of technological materials a computer or two is definitely required. A modern student should become familiar with modern technology. A television set and VCR lend themselves to learning environment as well. A lot of topics can be explored through
Videotape and television specials. It is naïve to assume all learning can take place in absence of technology.
A learning environment constructed with the students in mind is a learning environment in which students can thrive.
IV I believe a curriculum for students should include meaningful content that students can build on and use later in life. Thusly I believe the curriculum should be ever changing and expanding. I believe the curriculum should allow for growth, change, and alteration. The core of the curriculum, however, should focus on the basics of comprehensive reading, and writing, science, math and social studies. I just believe the content should focus on the most important and useful information and concepts.
V I believe an effective teacher should be flexible and should be able to wear a lot of different hats. Sometimes different hats may have to be worn at once so flexibility is paramount. Flexibility allows for trial and error. If one teaching method or strategy isn’t working, something new should be tried. A teacher isn’t just a teacher anymore, which accounts for the many hats. A teacher has to assume the role of parent, counselor, and disciplinarian. An effective should be able to assimilate these roles into one package.
In addition to flexibility and juggling hats, an effective teacher has to be both receptive and perceptive. A receptive teacher is open to new ideas, which is important when trying to teach a variety of different students. A perceptive teacher is able to see the student. Keeping a close idea on students and student performance opens up opportunity to reach them.
VI I believe a teacher should involve families and the community in the school in these ways. The parent should be seen as a partner in the education of students. Parents should be kept informed of progress both good and bad. The old adage, “No news is good news” is outdated. Parents need to be made a part of the education of the student. When possible I think parents should be used as a classroom resource. Many parents have skills or experiences that can be tapped for classroom use as a speaker or helper.
The community should be welcome in the school. The community supports public schools financially through taxes and fund raising and should feel they are a part of the school. In most cases the school is a central focus in the community. This focus should be a good thing not a bad one. The community has vast resources for schools both financial and academic. Through programs like adopt a classroom and others, the community is brought into the school for a purpose and both school and community benefit. The education of students should not occur behind closed schoolhouse doors. The community and parents should feel a connection to the school and feel they are a part of the education occurring there.


 


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