Education

My Philosophy of Education

I had to write a philosophy of education for a class....I just finished it and I wanted to know what you guys thought!! Will I make a good teacher?? HAHA I know I will but I just wanted to share. _____________________________________________________________________________________________

My Philosophy of Education

By: Shaden Jedlicka

Shaden Jedlicka

11/6/2010

Introduction to Education

Paul Summerhill My life is a reflection of positive role models, most of them professional educators, and a series of negative and positive experiences all wrapped up in a box with a bow neatly tied and signed by God himself. I like referring to my life as “Organized Chaos”. In this web of chaos we all have choices, even at a young age. We all have experiences, both good and bad, but it is what we as individuals do with those experiences that make us who we are and determine the impact we will have on others.

Impacting lives, informing the community, molding professionals, and helping people reach dreams they never deemed reachable are just a few vital roles that education positions in society. It is my belief that these are some of the main purposes of education. Helping people of all ages, develop the skills and determination necessary to be positive productive members of society.

The love of learning, optimism, ambition, broad-mindedness, and forward-looking are all things that must be introduced and developed at a young age. However, traits like these are not easily learned or taught. Young people learn best by their surroundings. Observing their peers, parents, and anyone they look up to. They pick up on our character traits by listening to what we say, watching what we do, and observing what we wear, while at the same time paying close attention to our body language. As you may know, youth are very impressionable and the adults that surround them are generally the ones that young people aspire to reflect. Be it parents, peers, or teachers. Role models they admire the most are generally the ones that have the most impact and the ones from which students acquire most of their aspirations and determination. As an educator I can only hope that my presence in the classroom, and society in general, reflects optimism, represents fair-mindedness, display’s courage, inspires imagination, show’s enthusiasm while promoting integrity, acknowledges endurance, heartens initiative, and over all urges dependability.

“There is one quality that one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants and a burning desire to possess it.” ~ Napoleon Hill

Showing fearlessness when obstacles stand in their way, displaying mature and positive decisiveness, knowing that they are loved and accepted for who they are, developing a love for learning, and most importantly achieving happiness and the will to be successful in life. Whatever career path they may choose. These are the goals and aspirations I have set for my students. Surrounding them with a positive, safe, comfortable, and excepting environment, I trust to be the best method. I am confident that all of my students, young and old, will realize that life is what you make! No matter where you are from, where you are, or where you are going!

The way we as adults and educators prepare our youth for the future has an overwhelming impact on not just the students in the classroom or the outcome of their education, but of the nation as a whole. Therefore, we must teach them to show respect for themselves, their peers, their teachers, and anyone whom they come in contact with. I trust that by defining and enforcing the role of the student we are providing them with the essentials and enthusiasm crucial to their success. The student’s role is simply to feel accepted, comfortable, and confident in them selves and the community around them. Students are, and should be, held responsible for actions both positive and negative. Learners are expected to follow rules of the classroom, the school, and of the community.

Teachers are the backbone of the educational system. The image that they portray can build or destroy that bridge between success and failure. The relationship they have with the school and the community has an exceptional impact on their image. Educators must present themselves in the optimistic and supporting manner in which they would like their students to reflect. After all, their actions reflect what and how they teach. Teachers are entrusted with educating students and teaching them the basic skills necessary to be successful. Without teachers there would be no doctors, mechanics, business owners, or politicians. The impact they have on one child reflects the outcome of an entire community and society in general. It is evident that these beliefs support that educational renewal and reform is a direct reflection of an educator’s impact.

Last but not least, there are four major types of education that must be discussed: Perennialism, Essentialism, Romanticism, and Progressivism.

For Perennialists, the vision of education sees human nature as constant, with few changes over time. The endeavor of education is to promote the evolution of understanding as the main intent of public schools. Through this philosophy is it believed that the educational process emphasizes academic precision and discipline!

Essentialism emphasizes a core body of knowledge and skills necessary for effective contribution in society. Essentialists believe that an educated person must have this core of knowledge and skills and that all children should be taught it.

Romanticism is child-centered and it condemns the pressures of society. Romanticist suggests that a student’s natural curiosity should be used to teach.

Progressivists see nature as ever changing. They see the world around them as ever changing. Educators see new situations, which require new solutions to problems. The main belief of this philosophy is that students must develop as problem solvers. Progressivism is the philosophy that I most closely relate to. I believe that it is my job as an educator to prepare youth for any problem that they might face. Your past and your present do not matter!! It is where you plan on going in life. It is my belief that students should explore the world around them, becoming alert and accountable for their surroundings. As a teacher I would like to provide experiences so that students can learn by doing rather than seeing. Students are problem solvers and the light to a darkened world.

“It is what you learn after you know it all that counts.” ~ John Wooden _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Thanks for reading!! :)

Shaden Jedlicka

Arkansas Youth Advisory Board President

2010 All-Star