Running Head: EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

Educational Philosophy Statement Professor Barbara Wylie Morgan Hunt

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT Introduction I believe that an education is the most important gift any individual can receive. I truly believe that every human being is capable of brilliancy, but I also believe guidance and, more

importantly, inspiration within their education is crucial in obtaining this. The following quote from Plato is a statement that I believe should be a fundamental principle to all educators, Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each. This philosophy solidifies my fundamental belief that allowing children to follow their own educational paths will enable them to find the confidence to become their individual form of greatness. Personal Beliefs I view education as a process of constructing meaningful understandings and I believe that every child deserves an opportunity, equal to their peers, to broaden their unique understandings into more complex views. To be able to accomplish this effectively, there are several different characteristics that need to be employed. First, I believe that educators need to be excited about the content they are teaching. Enthusiasm is contagious. Secondly, educators need to find the median between relating information to students lives and introducing new information and material that would not be found within their immediate community. Having knowledge of an individuals own culture and awareness of the rest of the world is crucial. Lastly, I believe that every student should be allotted the freedom to learn in a way that is the most beneficial to them individually. If one child retains information and ideas best by listening to the teacher, but another learns best by hands-on activities and assessing their own ideas afterwards, than it is the teachers responsibility as an educator to provide both of these experiences. Pedagogy

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT Plato paints a perfect description of my pedagogy. An educator can have all of the mechanics and knowledge about the subjects they are teaching down to a tee; but to truly make an impact on a child, the information needs to be presented in a way that makes them want to learn. The constructivism approach allows the students to build onto their previous knowledge with the new information being presented. By doing so, the students are able to take the lesson learned and construct it into their own belief. I believe that learning is enhanced when students have choices in selecting educational experiences, as well as in an intellectually stimulating environment. Students must always be treated as individual learners. As a future educator, I will facilitate meeting their unique needs and help them to reach their full potential. Methodology I will aim to create a learning environment that is without bias, one where individuals feel comfortable constructing their own usable knowledge. I will strive to implement lessons that are considered out of the box in order to keep students interested in their education. I will to plan

lessons that are not constricted to the classroom, but engages students within their community while implementing aspects of a community they are unfamiliar with. I will be as excited to teach a lesson as I will be to see the students flourish and grow. I am aware that not every student learns at the same pace or has the same learning styles, and I will make sure to meet each childs need. Platos idea that individuals have their own diverse form of genius will never stray far from mind. I will encourage and help children to not only find their own genius, but build upon it as well. Conclusion My educational philosophy may impose a large obligation on educators, but teaching is a tremendous responsibility. The education of the future generation is contingent upon the dedication and imagination of instructors that will captivate students into being the intellectuals they are

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT capable of being. I want to give students knowledge, not just bits and pieces of facts and information. I hope to give children the inspiration to become not only a great learner but also a

great person as a whole. Being a well-rounded person is just as important as being intelligent. I look forward to challenging myself to stay creative and enthusiastic just as much as I look forward to challenging my future students to find their own versions of inner genius.