Jordan Leyba

Philosophy of Education

March 21st

Essentialism in Teaching

Throughout elementary and middle school, I thought all teachers were out to get

all of the students. Many of my teachers were not interested in the well being of the

students. The start of high school was approaching quickly and was not looking forward

to the whole experience. The first period I was introduced to the American Government

teacher, Mr. Mason. He reassured the whole class that high school is not like the

movies and he would make learning about the past a blast. Throughout the day, many

teachers explained themselves and their classes but none of them compared to first

period. Mr. Mason was on a mission to educate all of his students in more than just

history.

Mr. Mason was also the offensive coach for football and the head track and field

coach. He was on a mission to teach kids more than when America became a country.

He taught hard work and the values of being a student athlete. Watching Mason do

what he loved and how he change a kids life just by being a small part of it, made me

consider teaching. It wasnt till my senior year when I job shadowed for seventh grade

science until realized how teaching can be beneficial for both the students and the

teachers. So I see myself as a teacher who helps kids understand the material in class

but also helps them learn things they can use outside of the classroom. My classroom

will take after a traditional desk and whiteboard classroom. With technology today,
there's a good chance there will be a smartboard in the room as well. But I have been in

classrooms with bean bags and comfy chairs. All they seemed to do was distract the

kids from the material they should be learning and get them into unnecessary trouble.

Discipline kids within the classroom has changed over the years, I dont believe that

disciplines the kids will do anything. Talking to the kid after class, or even telling the

parents about them is about I will do. If it gets worse than I'll let the principle deal with

the student. Since my classroom will be very basic, many people could say I'm an old

school teacher. Even my teaching philosophy is old school. After taking the test I scored

the highest in Essentialism. Which is an educational philosophy suggesting that specific

knowledge and skills exist that all people should possess (Kauchak 155).

The curriculum should be covered in the classroom, but within the curriculum it

should cover the students social, emotional, intellectual and physical development.

Considering that history is made everyday, it should cover current events just as much

as past events. I believe that all students should walk out of the classroom with a

specific body of knowledge. Individualizing the information is up to the students, but if it

does to much then you get away the curriculum. The curriculum I support is the null

curriculum. Even in our textbook it says most history teachers support this type because

it lets them choose which parts of history they choose to teach. The no child left behind

act also affects the null curriculum (Kauchak 286-7). The act made each state create its

own testing system to make sure all of the students know the information for the next

grade level. For example, Wyoming created the PAWS test (Wyoming Board of
Education). They don't test social studies but essentialism philosophy includes it so I

believe the PAWS test should as well.

I believe students learn best when they are taught under certain conditions and in

certain ways. Some of these ways are presentations and group projects. History can be

very interesting but only if you teach or even chose how to present it. My experience

with all history teachers have been powerpoint presentations and taking notes over

them. I thought this was hard to retain information, so when Mr. Mason would read or

even give us the topic of the civil war and let us do a reenactment of the war. It stuck in

my head that the war started in April and why it started. With different subject it might be

easier for students to just listen to a lecture and take notes but for history I felt like it was

easier have a more hands on learning style. With the hands on learning style, it gives

the students something to look forward too. It gives everyone a chance to get involved

in the project and present their perception of how history happened. Essentialism wants

to get "back to the basics" and have skills that will prepare the student for the real world.

History is hard because the class is based on the past, but I could teach the students to

be aware of the world around them.

I believe that students change based on their knowledge of the subject. For

example, in any history class I could speak up and answer the questions. But in math or

English, I would sink in my seat even if I knew the answer. So I think students need to

walk into the classroom feeling comfortable, this would eliminate passive learners. Even

if it takes having the teacher calling on them. When I become a teacher I want students
to be able to participate in classroom discussion and know they are welcome to say

whatever they want. With a classroom like this, I understand that some issues will come

up but thats part of them knowing their roles within the classroom. But I believe that

being comfortable and active in the classroom can help the learning process of all the

students.

Going from hating teachers to finding one who motivated me and created such a

passion for helping others. Mr. Mason might have had a different type of curriculum and

philosophy but he showed me that being a teacher is something that change you as a

person. I believe he believed in perennialism philosophy, which is very similar to

essentialism philosophy. I think the type of learning style and classroom environment I

will have will help me get the most success out of my students. One day I hope to

inspire my students like Mr. Mason did and teach them more than just the world's

history.
 Sources

Wyoming Board of Education

http://edu.wyoming.gov/educators/assessment/paws/

Introducing to Teaching: Becoming a Professional

Don Kauchak and Paul Eggen

The Foundations of Education Web

http://www.siue.edu/~ptheodo/foundations/essentialism.html

Theories of Education: Essentialism

http://education101intrototeaching.pbworks.com/w/page/10077130/Theories%20
of%20Education%3A%20%20Essentialism

Philosophical Perspectives in Education

http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/ed416/PP3.html