Running head: PHILOSPOPHY OF EDUCATION 1

Philosophy of Education

Katherine McKerley

Regent University

In partial fulfillment of UED 496 Field Experience ePortfolio, Spring 2019

PHILOSPOPHY OF EDUCATION 2

Philosophy of Education

Teachers are influential to society. They play a vital role in the foundation of the

community and the raising and preparing of the next generation. My educational philosophy

starts by prioritizing building teacher-student relationships, clear and consists rules and routines,

and an environment that fosters student academic and relational success. I expect to be learning

along with my students, but I will do my very best to give them a classroom where they feel

loved, respected and safe.

At the core of my philosophy is creating a community in the classroom. I hope to model

and implement a system that students feel welcomed and secure in who they are. My job is to

mentor, guide, and equip students for success spiritually, academically, and emotionally. I will

model the behavior I expect from my students and will use time in morning meeting, lessons, and

lunch to help myself bond with students and my students’ bond with each other. They will also

learn my belief that each of them is capable of major growth and that they will play an active

part in creating goals to see that progress become a reality. Throughout the year I will be

campaigning and cheering on my students, teaching and modeling a growth mindset so that they

can have the opportunity to grow more than they ever expected of themselves.

Each student will come to the classroom with a different social, economic, cultural

background as well as different interests, temperaments, learning styles, and capacities. It is my

job to take these individuals and create a community which they can feel supported and

cherished. I will tailor my instruction to meet the needs of all students as an individual and as a

class since each class as a whole has its own strengths and weaknesses. I want part of my job to

be helping students become curious and explorative. Many teachers might cater to what interests

a child and that is a good approach, but I want to focus on becoming excited in something new
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and fall in love with learning instead of catering to the limited knowledge and interests they

have. I want to expand their understanding of the world and becoming more well-rounded

individuals. This playing into another belief I hold that students must be champions of their own

education. Through different methods of questioning, writing, voicing opinion, self-evaluation –

students can become active participants in the learning process. I strongly believe in an active

lively environment where students can grow through discussion and collaboration, but value time

where they can be introspective and value their own thoughts and ideas.

Evolution of Beliefs

In the short but transformational time of my student teaching experience, I have refined

and solidified my personal philosophy. One area that has been impact was the importance of

helping students become independent. I thought I understood that the goal of an effective teacher

was to become more of a guide and be able to delegate a task than baby over each step and

process. I am beginning to see the importance of instilling procedures that are effective and can

lead to intrinsic motivation and the importance of teaching about morals and character can

impact this change. I feel that my time in student teaching has helped me look forward in how I

can serve Christ and others through my future career as a teacher. I want to continue to be able to

teach and lead students to lasting positive moral and character changes and in Christian setting I

want to lead students to a deep relationship with God.

Statement of Goals

What I have learned in preparing me to become a teacher has been the importance of

fostering a love of God in children and help teach and model them to be people of character that

can continue to spread the gospel. I want to be able to do this through my day job, tutoring,
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summer camps and any other means of teaching students. One of my goals is to dedicate myself

to root myself in Christ and devote myself to what He has called me to do for on my own I know

I will not have the impact as what I can with His help and direction. Since I do not have a

specific or grand goal I want to focus on the foundation of why I am teaching. My mission in life

is to live out the gospel in a way that they are drawn to Christ and through the act of teaching I

believe that I am challenging the culture surrounding what it means to be a teacher and what

impact I can have on the lives of students. My time in student teaching has reinvigorated my

approach to caring for each child, their salvation, and their future. It put into perspective the

responsibility I have as a teacher and also the great opportunity I have to lead students through

critical years in their life.

Conclusion

In the short weeks of student teaching my personal philosophy has grown and modeled to

the new understanding that I have gained. With research, experience, and a continued devotion to

God and His word I know that my philosophy of education will continue to be shaped into a

statement that represents the scale of my knowledge, passion, and goals for myself, my students

and my classroom. With my feet following where God calls me, I want to humble continue to

learning and be a presence that can stand in the gap for students and bring them to higher heights

of wholistic success.