Philosophy of Teaching

     A philosophy of teaching encompasses many things. The traditional teacher-centered philosophies saw a teacher’s role as someone who “instilled respect for authority, perseverance, duty, and practicality” (Sadker, p.330). I believe that is a small part, but there is much more.

     There are five philosophies of education. I do not completely identify with any. As a future educator I plan to incorporate parts of essentialism, perennialism, and progressivism. I will also observe the philosophy of the school where I am employed. Essentialism puts strong emphasis on math, science, history, foreign language, and literature. I agree that the core curriculum is very important and that students’ knowledge should be assessed. However, I know electives and interaction are also very necessary in school.

     I take only a small part from the perennialists. They recommend that students learn directly from the Great Books. These works include books such as Oliver Twist, The Great Gatsby, and Moby Dick.  I would integrate these into the curriculum, along with present day, young adult literature.

     “Progressivism organizes schools around the concerns, curiosity, and real world experiences of students. The progressive teacher facilitates learning by helping students formulate meaningful questions and devise strategies to answer those questions” (Sadker, p.335) As I’ve stated above, book learning is a part of my philosophy. However, I don’t intend to stand at the front of the room and dictate. It is easier to learn when you are actively engaged. My students will be in small groups, moving and talking, with direction from me. Nel Noddings, a leader in progressivism, says that schools should be challenged to nourish the physical, spiritual, occupational, and intellectual development of the child. I completely agree.

     Psychology also plays a role in an educational philosophy. I most relate to constructivism. I plan to assess a student’s prior knowledge to better teach him or her. A way I will do this involves scaffolding. Linking past knowledge with new material, aids in overall comprehension.

     My philosophy as a teacher is simple. I want to provide a stable, caring environment. The students will receive fair and positive guidance, which I hope will have a positive impact in their college and career lives. The classroom environment is very important and should always be conducive to learning. Ron Clark, the author of The Essential 55, thinks that every student’s thoughts should be respected. He writes, “Every person in the class has something to contribute, and in order for our class to be the best it can be, we need to hear the ideas and opinions of everyone.” I want an overall attitude of support running through my classroom. I will model the behavior I expect in my classroom.