With a mingling of classical and contemporary writers this book is useful in guiding you to write about the philosophy of education.
When doing my Masters I had to write about my philosophy of education and while searching on the web net I was astonished about how many people were selling even short Essays related with their own educational philosophies. I am a teacher, and English is in reality my second language but I'm going to post together with this comment a short Essay I wrote myself, for free, related with my philosophy of education. I hope it help you to get an inside or idea on how direct your own philosophy:
What is philosophy? What is education? I could introduce this kind of statement with adorned beautiful words where the teacher gets into a classroom space as flying into a paradise occupancy full of students greeting us with impetuous hugs, kisses and flowers, but...it is not like that. It is hard work, and we want all children from different backgrounds and races to be able to read, write and think critically.
In today's days with growing populations, multicultural involvements, the age of speed and acoustics, the technological advances and all of the things that we could add to justify what is happening in the classrooms, it points us to the reality that education has become complex, very much indeed. It is not just to teach, but managing an environment which in most of the cases have to deal with discipline problems or in general managing class behaviors.
As we learned during our courses there are four major psychological theories, and however I will not incline labeling myself to one category, among the four listed, even when I disagree by the way it is explained, I would associate my words for a moment with the humanistic one, as part of my educational philosophy
It has been written much about good and evil when we are born, I myself believe that since early years we have inclination to both, positive and negative actions, but the theory creates a reality when introduces us with a concept which emphasizes that under a positive, supportive and nurturing environment humans can realize more clear their own positive potential which will eventually influence the surrounded society, in our case, the school environment.
My Philosophy of Education must include some of the humanistic approach; however mentioning that humanism is a term used lately as a very broad definition, including categories of ethical philosophies and inclinations affirming the character, dignity and worth of human beings, we can achieve by nature the ability to chose and determine between right and wrong in a rationale way. The concept appeal to universal human qualities but frequently, I suggest, forgets about we all live under different societies, some with more fairness and others very unfair. Under those pressures the citizen (student) can act in a different manner according to different approaches because of the social pressure which can vilify a human to the point to be considered as a negative one.
There are secular, religious, and educational humanism as trying to divide them for definition purposes. Spirituality has been always, since men are over the earth, an important part of their views and lives, some groups are positive directed, others are exclusive ones, and some with the wickets intentions. Religion is not always the traditional view we have because according to my own experience from a society I had to live for a long period of time under an atheism-communism system of imposed beliefs, which is as well a type of religion-belief system with Marxist rules and a very negative ideology; and I have seen in my university years in U.S how the educational system occasionally has explained the Marxist approach as a noble humanistic one. Such a lie can add to the educational spectrum how also we, as humans, can be manipulated by leaders, media, and a system to the point that generational influences can take a stand in the direction we choose and be catalogued as positive or negative depending of those who control society.
I think as an educator we have a huge responsibility in dealing with all these forces and transmit to our students the best from our knowledge and understandings, dealing as well, as we mentioned before with behaviors and tendencies that could interrupt the instruction process. We have seen, in the short years teaching in different levels, that reality in the United States public system of education. Behavior itself can be gradually changed while the human is growing throughout a lifetime, and the family and societal environment where the individual lived his/her first years of life can influence as well how positive and negatively the individual can approach the surroundings; that is why a positive environment with human dignity is very important, and we, as teachers should try to create such mentioned environment.
The plan we eventually will develop must be consistent and fair with all students. An ecological approach to this kind of situations is advised and your classroom management plan should match with the schoolwide discipline policy otherwise you will not fit in, in order to be able to try to make any positive impact (change). Your discipline plan must be discussed with your students and let them know their input is important for you as being the educator. Every day in the morning, better off for teachers that have a homeroom, there is a chance to discuss daily rules related with classroom management. It helps to develop a respectful relationship teacher-student.
We should not forget also as educators that our classrooms are not punishment cells full of dry-out regulations, we all need at some point some humor, flexibility and consideration for our own mistakes. It is needed of respect teacher-student relation when using humor. It should be directed with the purpose of the class, or the work as you, being an educator, trying to transmit a useful message to a young generation, but we are all humans who can make mistakes and learn in the process of becoming more professionals in our daily doings; but humor is essential in our lives, and it helps students in learning self-management skills.
We have to design appropriate activities as instructional tasks in a form of structure without ignoring the possible free flaw of the lesson at a certain point of the class to avoid boring situations as well which could generate discipline problems. Expository teaching favors a receptive learning moreover when the student is engaged in a practical way. In our Language class we use for example "dialogs" where the student practice the new learned words, and I used to let them innovate as well during the performance. When using grammatical instruction I try to interact with students about the subject and let them speak up if they think/ or not how important/or not, is grammar during the language learning process.
In other words, the direct or expository formal teaching must be mixed with practical activities like working in groups developing open experiences; this contributes to a divergent production. Cooperative learning activities facilitate a greater effort to achieve a better grade while developing a more positive and interpersonal relationships, incorporating a healthier psychological environment. Doing this we are more competent in the ability to manage possible discipline problems during instruction. I believe in today's days, from ES to HS in the public system of education is unrealistic to dream with "0" discipline problems on permanent basis, but we can try to make the lesson busy and attractively structured trying to avoid holes in the process that make fertile ground for cases of indiscipline.
At some point I was asked about who was the teacher that made the greater impact in my student's lifetime. I have been in different schools in different countries with different languages as well and I am unable to say: "he/she was my best teacher". I think that many of them had different qualities and encouraging skills.
I had a teacher that when we entered into the classroom had as a norm that one student will bring a new joke every day. Of course it could not be a "malicious or disrespectful" one, but a joke that will make most people laugh. After that, the class was already engaged in a friendly atmosphere, as already everybody had agreed on something as a group: "laughing". This communication skill is healthy and activates our willingness to receive instruction after a hard working day, a busy study time, or a lack of sleeping. After a ponderous time, a refreshing one is like a glass of cold water in the middle of the Saharan dessert.
On the other hand I always respect fairness on teachers and I try to apply that in my own career. If a student shows dedication and willingness to improve and work I will never deny that student of the possibility to have a good grade, let say it straight...to have an "A". A human being is the highest living structure over planet earth, influenced by so many things, busy in so many things, with so many different backgrounds and difficult private lifetime situations that could affect their ability to manage and cope with daily challenges. Saying this, I believe that when you see a human, a person that is willing to try, to make an effort, that ask for help and consideration, I think it is a worthy candidate to be considered among those who deserve an open door to progress. I have had more than two teachers with that fairness quality; they had influenced my life letting me see that all is not lost, that still we are decent candidates to live in a constantly improving society.
I have had teachers that also bring their own life and lifetime experiences to the instruction period, no matter which one the subject is. That skill of passing your own experiences from one generation to another, whatever it is, I believe is part of an educator as an integral instructor. I appreciate those teachers I had who gave me a light about what life could become ahead on my path.
That is the kind of teacher I would like to be.
(Alejandro Roque)
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