Why In the World Do I Want to Be a Teacher?

THE PURPOSE OF EDUCATION:

When it comes to the matter of the purpose of education I find myself rather
confused by this particular issue. A reason I feel this way is because more then half the
time it seems that there are only two sides fighting, when the matter should involve so
many more sides. Most of the time we only hear the opinions of those individuals that
believe that a content based learning is most important and those the believe that teaching
a more skilled based curriculum is necessary for developing the next generation of
leader/workers in our nation. In my opinion both skilled and content based curriculums
are important for the future generations to possess, but I also believe that the education
system should provide coaching to our students that will create them to be quick,
purposeful, and effective thinkers. This idea became even more evident to me while
reading an article Martin Luther King Jr.s wrote for a campus newspaper known as the
Maroon Tiger. King brought to surface that a great majority of so-called educated
people do not think logically and scientifically. He continued to state, that even the
press, the classroom, the platform, and the pulpit in many instances do not give us
objective and unbiased truths. He believed, just as I find myself believing, that education
must enable one to sift and weigh evidence, to discern the true from the false, the real
from the unreal, and the facts from the fiction. By providing these skills to students and
teachers, the education system will begin to develop individuals who are able to think
intensively and critically.
The purpose of education in my eyes is not the only factor that goes into the equation
of creating our future doctors, lawyers, businessmen and women, there is also the

variable in what type of teacher they have. To be completely honest, I am in the middle of
the two types of teaching styles, when it comes to being a teacher myself. I agree with the
teacher-centered individuals that emphasize the importance of transferring knowledge,
information, and skills from the older (presumably wiser) generation to the younger ones.
I think that there is always something that can be learned from those who have already
experienced the hardships that come with growing up. These teachers are able to provide
real life scenarios, and the knowledge and skills through personal experience, that will
better prepare students for the future. However, at the same time I also agree with the
student-centered philosophy, which is more focused on individual needs, contemporary
relevance, and preparing students for the changing future. Although the teachers may be
wiser and more experienced, times have changed from when they were in school. There
are more advances in everything it seems from technology to research that has created
our world to evolve differently then it did a few years ago. Due to these advances, I feel
that it would be more beneficial for both the students and teachers to work together in
determining the material that should be taught to our students.
CURRICULUM: WHAT SHOULD BE TAUGHT AND WHY?
Just as for any teacher, the curriculum for students of a Physical Education
teacher, such as myself, should be that of which prepare our students for brighter futures.
However, due to the major issue of child obesity in our nation, it has become a big
priority of mine as a future physical education teacher to ensure that two things are
provided to my students. One, to ensure that my students are not only being active during
each and every one of my classes but that they are enjoying themselves while doing so.
Two that I educated and provide my students with all the current information and

research that is out there, on the overall health and wellness benefits that come with
exercising more and having healthier eating habits.
For me thinking about what I am going to teach my students and how I am going
to reach each and every one of them is easier said then done. While in my Educ 300 class,
I have learned that there will be a number of diversities between my students that will
make being an effective teacher difficult. A big one is student differences in learning.
Some children are visual learners meaning they learn best through their eyes. Some, such
as myself, are categorized as kinesthetic learners; this means that they are hands on
learners, do best by doing. And finally you have the auditory learners, who learn best
through hearing information given to them. As a Physical Education teacher it will be my
job to provide the safest and best learning environment for my students, when it comes to
playing sports. For each activity, lets say it's a baseball day, I will show the proper way to
hold and swing the bat, whether it is through real life examples or on a power point
presentation. Then I will have them pick up the bat and give them step-by-step instruction
on how to properly do the movement. Finally I will allow each student, to come up and
physically take turns showing me their swinging technique, against a stationary ball that
will be placed a tee. Although this process will take longer in reaching the activity it will
allow for me to incorporate everyones learning style into the activity making it as easy
and safe to learn as possible.
Another issue that could come to be a problem for me are demographic barriers
that I will need to consider in my teaching plans. As a physical education teacher a big
demographic barrier is the increasing number of students who are overweight and obese.
It will be my job to stay away from implementing activities that pose a threat or a

hardship for these students. It has been found that creating activities that limit
individuals physical activity, leading to embarrassment, actually contribute to the
negative attitudes these individuals have toward physical activities and individuals better
in shape (Dishman). In my class activities will range from volleyball to Just Dance, as the
type of activities that I will provided to my students to participate in. I believe activities
such as these allow students no matter what size to be physically active, while lessening
the chances of injury or embarrassment at the same time.
NATURE OF THE LEARNER:
In my class the responsibilities of the students are going to be described and gone
over in a syllabus the first day of class. Within this syllabus they will be informed that
full participation in each and every class is required of them. Only those that provide me
with a doctors note or reason of excusal will be exempt from class that day. Full
participation means, as long as they are involved in class that day, meaning they are
active in the game, and not in the outfield talking to friend, full credit will be awarded. I
know that not everyone is going to be as enthusiastic as I was to come to P.E. but I expect
my students to at least give the best effort they can. I also will emphasis the importance
of respect not only towards me as their teacher but also most importantly towards their
peers. Everyone should always be a good sport and always try to cheer on their fellow
classmates. This respect will be carried into the locker room as well. Students will be
given 10 minutes before class and after class to change into appropriate attire. All
possessions will be put in their assigned lockers and locked up before exiting the locker
room. A zero tolerance policy will be enforced to all students who participate in
horseplay or disrespect of another students space or possession during the allotted time.

Once we have been over the syllabus and the expectations I have for my students I will
have them sign the attached agreement that they have read and fully understand what is
expected of them while in class.
TEACHING METHODS THAT SHOULD BE USED AND WHY.
In my class, the learning environment I will encourage will be one in which I not
only educate my students but they educate me. I want to be able to learn as much as I can
about each and every one of my students, which I think will come if there is a sense of
mutual understanding and respect established. This sense of respect will be created and
encouraged through my open door policy. A policy that I hope will provide my students
with the understanding that they are more then welcome to come talk to me about
anything. Whether it be an issue with another classmate, possibly a recommendation on
activity for the day, or even just to vent to someone, I want my students to feel welcome
all the time. By demonstrating to my students that I not only respect them as students in
my class but as individuals outside my class, I believe this will create a classroom
environment that is full of trust, respect, and honesty. To be honest I believe that
envisioning an environment/classroom where the students do not feel like part of the job
description of a teacher, but as individuals, breaks barriers often stereotyped by teachers
and students.
THE ROLE OF THE TEACHER:
Relationships for teachers whether it is a relationship with administration, fellow
teachers, parents/guardians, or even students should always consist of one major factor
and that in my opinion is respect. To me everyone, no matter how old or position, should
always be given the same respect you would want to receive. However there also should

be a different type of respect that is given to higher position based individuals, such as the
principles of the schools. In a school, the principles, 99.9% of the time, are trying to
create an environment best for their students and teachers. This being said when a higher
authority implements something lets say, a dress code, your responsibility as a fellow
employee and role model for the students is to abide by and regulate these new rules. If
you have a disagreement with something that the school board or principle does, instead
of talking poorly about them to others, you should take your opinions, in a calm
collective manor and discuss them one on one with those individuals. The same should be
followed in issues dealing with other teachers, parents, and students. My job as a teacher
is not only to be a role model for my students, but someone I can look at each day in the
mirror and be proud of the reflection staring back at me.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
I fully believe that just as I will go through tons of different experiences and
changes as a physical education teacher, my philosophy on education will also experience
its own set of changes. In my opinion no teacher is perfect and to be a great teacher you
have to be able to change your ways to fit your students best. Right now I am an
inexperienced, happy go lucky undergrad student that thinks that when I step into the
classroom everything will go just as I planned. However due to my inexperience I have
no idea what lies ahead for me and I know that by talking to professors, a lot of time I
will have to be willing to work around and find new solutions to issues that arise. So all
in all, I need to realize that yes I may have a education philosophy right now but I need to
be prepared for all the challenges that are to come and the harsh reality, that nothing is

ever going to turn out the way I plan and that even the most experienced teachers find
themselves back at the drawing boards at times.