Philosophy of Education

Philosophy of Education

Sandra Quiroz

California State University, Dominguez Hills

Philosophy of Education

Education is a process filled with enlightening experiences. Such enlightening

experiences are only accomplished if in the process we encounter a person who inspires,

enlightens, and shares their knowledge with us. This person is called a teacher. Through personal

experiences and observations, I have learned that a teacher is not simply an educator who enters

the classroom and delivers new information on a daily basis. There is more to a teacher. A

teacher serves as a model that encourages students to give their best both in academics and in

life. A teacher is a mentor who touches students’ hearts and teaches them that there is no limit to

their future. A teacher brings out in every student their potential to be anything they set their

mind to both, academically and in other areas of life. My philosophy of education consists of my

philosophical perspective, what I believe is the purpose of education, what are the characteristics

of an optimal learning environment, my commitment to social justice, and my curricular vision.

My philosophical perspective in education coincides with the Social Constructivist

Theory. As a future educator, I believe that students do not merely acquire knowledge but rather

construct knowledge from previous experiences. “The learner is an information constructor”

(Learning Theories). The teacher teaches and presents the learner with new information but each

student creates different meaning based on their personal experiences and understanding of the

environment. The teacher is only responsible for engaging and motivating students to become

active in their learning process. Teachers create meaningful contexts in the lessons and leave it

up to the students to interpret the information and construct knowledge. The knowledge each

student constructs is dependent on the skills required by the society they live in, thus leading us

to what the purpose of education is.

The purpose of education in American society has changed and shifted to adapt to the

needs of the citizens and of the society; however, the main objective has remained: to prepare

students with the basic skills needed to engage in democracy and become part of the workforce

(Oakes & Lipton, 2005). We as future educators are responsible for educating students and

providing them with the skills needed to participate in a democratic society. Students need to

learn how to be responsible citizens and need to be prepared with work skills that will allow

them to excel and be successful citizens. Having a constructivist philosophy, will allow me to

analyze who my students are, what their interests are, and based on their funds of knowledge

present them with meaningful information and create a productive learning environment.

An optimal learning environment always puts students first and is a place in which the

students feel safe and valued to pose questions, express opinions, or make connections of what

they are learning to their previous experiences (Darling-Hammond & Bransford, 2005). Students

need a learning environment that allows them to feel welcomed and encouraged. I have observed

this semester a teacher that, even though, her students are only in Kindergarten she makes them

feel like they belong in the classroom and encourages them to look forward to going to school.

As a future educator, I see myself, creating the best learning environment for my students. Part

of my plan includes having routines and procedures, discipline and rules, student autonomy,

great use of time, accommodations for different learners, and overall a classroom filled with

fairness and respect that will allow students to explore and gain important skills needed to

survive in their society.

Having worked as a Teacher Assistant for the past three years, I have learned that the

classroom is just as diverse as the communities we live in; therefore, identifying student

differences and using them as a resource when planning out lessons, is essential for having
Philosophy of Education

student success. Darlling-Hammond and Bransford (2005) mention the fact that teachers should

learn student differences, language and cultural influences as well as each student’s individual

approach to learning (p. 1). Knowing this will ensure me that as a teacher I am using students’

funds of knowledge to provide my students with the resources they need to excel academically,

as well as, teaching them with the content to which they can relate.

In the safe environment, created by teachers, students should be learning the fundamental

subjects such as Math, Language Arts, and Science, as well as important life skills. The lessons

should be focused on what the standards state. Standards are set as a way of creating the best

learning experience a child can have; they provide a description as to what it is exactly that they

should learn. Such standards state that students should be able to critically think, problem solve,

collaborate, communicate effectively, as well as gather and analyze information. One type of

learning that promotes this is inquiry: according to Barbara Stripling (2008), inquiry is a process

of learning that is caused by questioning. Inquiry can be developed in the classroom through the

use of project-based learning. John Larmer and John R. Mergendoller (2010) state that project-

based learning requires students to engage in real world problems in which they critically think

and problem-solve. However, even though as a future teacher I plan to use the standards I plan to

select topics, activities, and project that will enhance student engagement.

An effective teacher is more than just an educator, it is a person that reaches out to

students, touches their hearts, and changes their lives. I believe that in order to accomplish this, a

teacher needs to have patience, use student differences as resources, and is flexible, and always

has a Plan B. In addition, educators need to analyze their lessons and biases and change or

modify them to make sure they are giving their best. Also effective teachers provide students

with the basics of learning and allow students to contribute and be the leaders of their own
Philosophy of Education

learning (McGuire & Duff, 2005). Most importantly an effective teacher builds on students’

funds of knowledge and always put students first to help them grow day by day and into

successful and active citizens. I soon will be one of the many effective teachers. I will share my

knowledge and passion for teaching.

References

Darling-Hammond, L. & Bransford, J. (2005). Preparing teachers for a changing world: What

teachers should learn and be able to do. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Larmer, J. &Mergendoller, J.R. (2010). The main course, not dessert: How are students reaching

21st century goals? With 21st century project based learning journal: School library

media activities monthly. Retrieved from

http://bie.org/object/document/main_course_not-dessert

Learning Theories. (2018). Constructivism – Learning Theories.[online] Available at:

https://www.learning-theories.com/constructivism.html

McGuire, J. V. & Duff, C. S. (2005). Conversations about being a teacher. Mission and vision.

(pp. 1-10). United States of America: Corwin Press

Oakes, J. & Lipton, M. (2002). Schooling :wrestling with history and tradition. Teaching to

change the world. Boston: McGraw Hill.

Stripling B. (2008). Inquiry: Inquiring minds want to know. School Library Media. 25(1). 50-53.