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Progressivism and My Approach

Sol Garibay

Chandler-Gilbert Community College

EDU221 : Introduction to Education

Dr. Joni Burris

December 1, 2020
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Progressivism and My Approach

Teachers in the beginning approach the education field with numerous ideas as to what

type of teacher they will be, or what their classroom will be like. This is due to the handful of

philosophies which have helped mold the contrasting education systems over time.

Progressivism is just one example, and is defined as “an educational philosophy that stresses

active learning through problem solving, projects, and hands-on experiences” ( Koch, 2015,

p.42). John Dewey is the very own founder of this philosophy, and he strongly believed students

should play an active role in their own learning. I, too, agree with this influential educator, and

strive for my future classroom to revolve around progressivism. The three key principles

collected from this theory that I plan to implement as a future educator is first staying away from

an authoritarian style, and instead work to prioritize my students' needs and interests among the

varying curriculum. Next, since, curriculum will vary, so will my lesson plans, and I will make it

my responsibility to emphasize lifelong learning and skills that will benefit my students out in

the real world. On top of that, third, their very own responsibility as a student in my class will be

to engage and collaborate as a whole, complete assigned projects, and problem-solve on a daily

basis.

Children are the ones required to attend school, it is their education and not their

instructors. For that reason as a student their needs should be listened to and met. I believe this

begins with proving to your students that you care for them, and want what is best for them.

Authoritative teachers show total opposite. For instance, “authoritarian teaching is composed of

high levels of academic press but relatively low levels of teacher caring” (Denver, 2011, para. 5)

To my future students, I will show that I care about them and their academic needs by listening

to them, and creating a safe space in my classroom for them to want to talk to me. This will be
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done by getting to know each one of my students. As well as, moving at their pace, and

reviewing a lesson more than once if that means it will help one of my students understand

something clearly. My lesson plans will move at what accommodates them best.

I am also aware that many different factors play out in each student's lives, which can

have an effect on their work or behavior in the classroom. An example is poverty, and the

challenges that exist with growing up in this situation. Consider this, in the last 3 days little

Joseph has not been handing in his homework, this is not like him. A teacher can approach the

situation in two different manners. The first one is, scoring Joseph a zero for his missing work,

and moving on. The second one, a more attentive approach would be to check on Joseph, talk

with him, and see if there is something going on outside of school. Unfailingly, these kids in a

low-income household are dealing with greater circumstances that might prevent students from

having the chance to complete a homework assignment. For example, On Ted Talk, Pearl

Arredondo shared with her audience her struggles as a poor student in East Los Angeles. She

began by revealing that early on in her life she had a lot to deal with outside of school. This was

due to the fact that her father was a high ranking drug dealer, and was seen in and out of jail her

entire childhood. She recalls finding her father ODing on her bathroom floor, and admits that

homework was not a priority at that time (Arredondo, 2013). A teacher never really knows what

home is like for each of their students. We should never assume homework is incomplete

because the student is lazy or does not care. It is important to communicate with them first, and

then assist our students in any shape or form.

Progressivism moves away from the basic core curriculum, and focuses on learning in the

context of daily living. In my experience, I remember in school learning various concepts which

are not significant in my life nor are helping me in any way now. I dread the idea that I wasted
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time and thinking on subjects that will not benefit me in my life. This is why I believe it is so

important to actually teach what matters in life, and what skills can benefit you as you proceed

through life beyond high school. Some of those beneficial life-long skills that are consistently

being taught in a progressive classroom are to ​ ​“become self-motivated, disciplined, and

open-minded, flexible thinkers. This helps them cultivate a lifelong love of learning ” (“The Core

Qualities..”, 2012). While these skills positively influence a student's love to learn, it also builds

those crucial skills they look for in a workplace. Dewey highlights that a teacher is the one who

should build on students’ strengths and talents in an integrated education with real-life

experiences. For this reason, if the school I am employed at in the future allows me, I will not be

teaching out of a textbook. Alternately, I would love to teach more than one branch of

knowledge, and all while also encouraging my students to seek what might interest them most.

What a student's behavior might appear as in a progressive classroom, is what some

might wonder. According to Dewey in a progressive classroom students are frequently

encouraged to active learning, problem solving and cooperating with others. Again, because

these skills are beneficial in the long run for higher education and a workplace. In “The Core

Qualities..” it is also mentioned that active learning and problem solving emphasizes critical

thinking and learning to bounce back from their own mistakes. Cooperating with other students

leads to collaboration and gives students their own responsibility to group participation (“The

Core Qualities..”, 2012). I strongly believe these just mentioned variables are important in a

students education, I believe this is what really gets an individual's mind to work and become

flexible. Group projects, and experiments will typically be assigned, rather than homework.

These projects and experiments will apply to beneficial skills, and involve critical thinking. For

my students I will be expecting each one to collaborate, and participate. If I figure out one is not
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participating, they will be held accountable. In the end, they will appreciate these things! I know

I do.

To put it concisely, Dewey’s ideas have molded my future plans as an educator. That is to

say, to apply real life experiences and skills in the classroom while focusing on the talents and

interests of my students. I will encourage them to explore what it is that interests them, and work

to fit them into my lesson plans. Their needs will be my priority. In my progressivism classroom

students generally will be assigned group projects that will strengthen their problem solving, and

analytical thinking. Finally, and most importantly I will show and express my care for my future

students, my future kids. This will all be done because I want them to succeed, and be ready for

the real world.

Reference Page

Arredondo, P. (2013). My story, from gangland daughter to star teacher. Retrieved December 02,

2020, from

https://www.ted.com/talks/pearl_arredondo_my_story_from_gangland_daughter_to_star_

teacher

Dever, B. V., & Karabenick, S. A. (2011). Is Authoritative Teaching Beneficial for All Students?

A Multi-Level Model of the Effects of Teaching Style on Interest and Achievement.

School Psychology Quarterly​, ​26​(2), 131–144.

https://doi-org.ez1.maricopa.edu/10.1037/a0022985

Koch, J. (2015). ​TEACH: Introduction to education​ (Third ed.). Los Angeles, CA: SAGE.

The Core Qualities of a Progressive Classroom. (2012). Retrieved December 07, 2020, from

https://www.theschoolinrosevalley.org/the-core-qualities-of-a-progressive-classroom/