Philosophy Statement
The Webster’s online dictionary defines learning as, “the act or experience of one that learns.” This definition holds true to my belief in learning. Learning is an act. As learners see, do, and hear what they are being taught, they act on that. Learners will respond to what they are being taught in some way, hopefully positively, and they will build on that material using an experience that they have had. As learning progresses, learners build on their prior knowledge and use their experiences to further their learning. I believe it takes time to learn. Learning does not take place over a day or even a week; it is a process that continues throughout education and life. This goes along with the cognitive constructivism theory that was developed by Jean Piaget. It says that learners must construct their learning and it takes “ages and stages.” Learning also requires a want to learn. As an educator, I want to instill a want for learning, I want my students to enjoy learning, and I have a desire to always help them continue their learning. I will do this by using different learning styles to adapt to different types of learners and abilities of my students.
As a teacher educator, it is my goal to develop a comprehensive program that will prepare students to be life-long learners and excel in their classes. I will accomplish this goal using modeling and experiential learning as my major instructional strategy. This strategy will be governed by the following values:
Achievement - First, I see success as achievement. I want my students to achieve the goals that I set for them and the goals they set forth for themselves. I want them to be motivated to achieve good grades, be a good person in and out of the classroom and I want them to achieve life-long goals or dreams of getting into the college they want or getting their dream job.
Self-Improvement - When students walk through my classroom door, I want them to see me as a mentor, and through my classes I want them to grow as individuals. I want to help them find out who they are and what they really want out of life. I want them to leave each day being more confident and more self-aware than when they walked in.
Success - Success is changing something for the better for more than just oneself. My classroom will be instilled with a strong sense of community and will be built with a foundation of respect. I want my students to stand up for what they believe in and make a statement of leadership to others. I will help them build a community so they are comfortable in their surroundings and feel that they are able to succeed by self-motivation and with the help of the other students as community members.
Respect - In order for learning to occur, the environment must be conducive to learning. I believe that I can facilitate this environment of learning in many ways, one of which is by displaying a sense of respect for others and the educational process.
It is my promise to demonstrate the values that are withheld in my personal statement. I want the best success for my students so that they can learn to their fullest. Therefore, it is my promise to demonstrate all the values that make up my philosophy of teaching not just for my governance, but so that my students will develop behaviors that will make them successful the life that lies ahead of them, wherever their path may lead.
The Webster’s online dictionary defines learning as, “the act or experience of one that learns.” This definition holds true to my belief in learning. Learning is an act. As learners see, do, and hear what they are being taught, they act on that. Learners will respond to what they are being taught in some way, hopefully positively, and they will build on that material using an experience that they have had. As learning progresses, learners build on their prior knowledge and use their experiences to further their learning. I believe it takes time to learn. Learning does not take place over a day or even a week; it is a process that continues throughout education and life. This goes along with the cognitive constructivism theory that was developed by Jean Piaget. It says that learners must construct their learning and it takes “ages and stages.” Learning also requires a want to learn. As an educator, I want to instill a want for learning, I want my students to enjoy learning, and I have a desire to always help them continue their learning. I will do this by using different learning styles to adapt to different types of learners and abilities of my students.
As a teacher educator, it is my goal to develop a comprehensive program that will prepare students to be life-long learners and excel in their classes. I will accomplish this goal using modeling and experiential learning as my major instructional strategy. This strategy will be governed by the following values:
Achievement - First, I see success as achievement. I want my students to achieve the goals that I set for them and the goals they set forth for themselves. I want them to be motivated to achieve good grades, be a good person in and out of the classroom and I want them to achieve life-long goals or dreams of getting into the college they want or getting their dream job.
Self-Improvement - When students walk through my classroom door, I want them to see me as a mentor, and through my classes I want them to grow as individuals. I want to help them find out who they are and what they really want out of life. I want them to leave each day being more confident and more self-aware than when they walked in.
Success - Success is changing something for the better for more than just oneself. My classroom will be instilled with a strong sense of community and will be built with a foundation of respect. I want my students to stand up for what they believe in and make a statement of leadership to others. I will help them build a community so they are comfortable in their surroundings and feel that they are able to succeed by self-motivation and with the help of the other students as community members.
Respect - In order for learning to occur, the environment must be conducive to learning. I believe that I can facilitate this environment of learning in many ways, one of which is by displaying a sense of respect for others and the educational process.
It is my promise to demonstrate the values that are withheld in my personal statement. I want the best success for my students so that they can learn to their fullest. Therefore, it is my promise to demonstrate all the values that make up my philosophy of teaching not just for my governance, but so that my students will develop behaviors that will make them successful the life that lies ahead of them, wherever their path may lead.