Educational philosophies construct the backbone of the education that students receive
within the classroom. While learning about the numerous educational philosophies, I noted that
my personal educational beliefs resonate with the idea of Social Reconstructionism. As a
student-centered learning approach, the Social Reconstructionist educational philosophy
establishes that the classroom is a place to learn about student-selected social problems with the
end goal of instigating positive change within the local community (“What is Social
Reconstructionism?”, 2018, para. 3). Educators who provide their students with the opportunity
to learn about and address social dilemmas that they are passionate about, plant the seed for a
new generation of innovative problem solvers.
George Counts, one of the most prolific educators to champion the glories of Social
Reconstructionism first became associated with the educational philosophy in 1932, with the
publication of his essay entitled, Dare the School Build a New Social Order (“What is Social
Reconstructionism?”, 2018, para. 2). Count’s publication of this groundbreaking essay was
fueled by his disgust of the educational inequities that were present between the wealthy and the
impoverished communities within the United States (“What is Social Reconstructionism?”, 2018,
para. 2). With Count’s 1946 publication of Education and the Promise of America, he discussed
the importance of America’s Democratic values and the many social injustices that hinder such
values (Hill, 2006, p.119). The solution Counts presented to combat the problematic presence of
social injustices, centered itself around addressing the inequity present within society; the
inequity that degrades an individual's self-worth and dignity, violating what Counts deemed to be
an ethical responsibility of the American Democracy (Hill, 2006, p.121).
Morgan Brown November 30th, 2021 The Purpose of Education
Currently, public schools around the United States expect teachers to “teach to the test”,
requiring students to regurgitate knowledge with the sole purpose of meeting strict testing
standards. From my own personal experience in public schools, I’ve experienced the “I have to
pass the test or I’m a failure” mentality that plagues the minds of students in educational settings
based on state mandated Standards of Learning. During my elementary school years, I became
accustomed to completing packet after packet of review to ensure my readiness for the annual
SOL tests that dominated the months of April and May. I’ve also noted from my personal
educational experience that public schools have a unique definition of “preparedness for the real
world,” by basing the concept around the rigid educational standards that plague education.
One of my most impactful interactions with an educator occurred when I was a Junior in
high school. At the time, I was swamped with three AP courses, two honors courses, and had
begun the college application process. On a rough day, my Choir director pulled me aside and
allowed me to share my frustrations linked to my perfectionist tendencies induced by the
Essentialist test-centered learning approach that haunted my education. As the very wise woman
that she is, my Choir director had me sit down and think about the exact significance of my
position at that time, to the overall timeline of my life. After letting me think for a while, she had
me think about what I viewed my purpose in life to be. In that moment, I realized that I saw my
life as being an opportunity to create positive, cataclysmic change in the world around me. A few
weeks after this perfectionist-shattering conversation with my director, I recognized my desire to
become a Music Educator - a profession that would allow me to embrace what I now know as
my Social Reconstructionist approach to education, in whichever grade level I end up teaching.
Morgan Brown November 30th, 2021 As I entered college and spent my first year living away from home, I became aware of a
significant number of things related to "adulting", that I had been naively unaware of during my
time in the public school system. I found myself grossly unprepared in understanding how to file
taxes, maintain a budget, apply for employment opportunities, and a myriad of other financial
based scenarios. Luckily, my parents took it upon themselves to teach me these basic life skills
that were overlooked or neglected due to the outdated philosophies that mold curriculum within
my former school district. The Essentialist ideas that restrict education in the United States
starkly differ from the Social Reconstructionist ideals that I resonate with. The American
Education system needs to reevaluate the purpose of education, to allow students to be better
prepared for the real world beyond public school.
What Should Be Taught and Why
Schools should focus on teaching not only to each student’s academic needs, but also to
their practical needs. The diverse spectrum of student backgrounds and abilities emphasizes how
the idea of a “cookie-cutter” approach to education is not suitable to meet every student’s needs.
As a supporter of the Social Reconstructionist educational philosophy, I find it pertinent to
educate students about how to create impactful changes within their local community. Equipping
young minds with the tools to spark positive change within society opens avenues for creativity
and new perspectives, honoring the importance of everyone’s ability to positively contribute to
society.
Within my future Music classroom, I plan to incorporate my student’s interests within my
daily instruction and classroom activities, regardless of whatever age group I decide to teach. As
musicians, my students and I have the ability to enact social change within the local community
through the medium of music. By incorporating music from a diverse collection of cultural Morgan Brown November 30th, 2021 backgrounds and textual meanings, my students and I have the ability to harness the power of
music in regards to honoring the existence of diversity within the local community. In an effort to
embrace the importance of multicultural education within my classroom, my students and I will
incorporate ways to honor and appreciate minority groups around the world. The plethora of
music available to educators for each designated skill set level presents a significant number of
opportunities to address some of the social inequities that are present throughout society.
Another extremely important lesson that my students will learn within my classroom is
the importance of basic human kindness. Within the United States, there seems to be a lack of
kindness and respect for others, in comparison to other locations around the world. Students in
my classroom will learn how to embrace the differences around them by appreciating each
individual’s existence. I will also encourage my students to incorporate simple acts of kindness
within their everyday activities to demonstrate how they can leave a positive impact on others
and their communities. As a mentor to my students, I plan to offer opportunities for my students
to share their musical talents with the purpose of giving back and thinking beyond themselves,
such as holding a music-based fundraiser to raise money to help address food disparity or
housing insecurity within the local community. The integration of kindness within my future
classroom curriculum will be one of the most important and valuable learning experiences for
my students, and no doubt one of the most fulfilling topics for me to teach.
The Nature of the Learner
My students will play a significant role within the determination of the curriculum within
their music-related studies. Students who are involved in music tend to be highly motivated and
ambitious individuals who hold themselves to high moral and academic standards. As
individuals driven by their desire to learn and to share their musical talents with others, my Morgan Brown November 30th, 2021 students will rely on intrinsic motivational factors, due to their dedication to their craft.
Regardless of my future students’ music proficiency levels, they will be encouraged to work
diligently to ask questions and to continuously build upon their skills. Within my classroom,
students will collaborate with their classmates while preparing level-appropriate repertoire that
relates to or addresses their chosen social injustice topic. As a collaborative ensemble, members
will actively support and empower one another throughout their daily interactions inside and
outside of my classroom, helping my students to form lasting bonds with each other. Music
students are engaged individuals that have the determination and willpower to achieve whatever
task is set before them - as a teacher who identifies with the Social Reconstructionist educational
philosophy, I’m extremely excited to see how my students will use their musical talents to
change the world.
The Role of the Teacher
My purpose as a Music Educator is to support my students in all of their endeavors by
empowering them to be the best versions of themselves. Within my Music classroom, I am there
to guide and encourage my students to find ways to make the world around them a better place
by creating positive change within their local community. As an educator, I am an advocate for
my students when interacting with my administration, my fellow colleagues, and the
parents/guardians of my students. With that said, it is my responsibility to advocate for my
students to help them to positively shape the community around them by gaining the support of
additional adults who may have influence to help my students to impact the lives of additional
individuals outside of their immediate social sphere. By upholding the Social Reconstructionist
philosophy within my classroom, I have the capability to help my students to create monumental
change by equipping them with the necessary resources to be successful.
Morgan Brown November 30th, 2021 Teaching Methods That Should Be Used and Why
My future classroom will be designed to be an inclusive and safe space for all students.
Everyday, I will incorporate lessons in kindness, compassion, empowerment, and positive
change-making in an effort to mold my students into positively contributing members of society.
The incorporation of the Social Reconstructionist educational philosophy within my classroom
will encourage the use of critical thinking skills to find innovative ways to address the social
justice topic that interest my students, while also increasing their understanding of the basic
problem-solving approach. As a teacher who identifies with the Social Reconstructionist
educational philosophy, I am in the classroom to help my students to become better individuals
and contributors to society, while allowing my students to be invested in the formulation of their
curriculum.
Over the course of my future career, I intend to base my daily interactions with my
students off of the Social Reconstructionist educational philosophy. As an educator, I have the
ability to encourage my students to identify and address social injustices within the local
community through their involvement within my music class(es). In the years to come, I hope to
incorporate additional insight that I’ve gained as an educator to strengthen my personal
philosophy of education to provide my students with the most impactful and meaningful music
education as possible. Morgan Brown November 30th, 2021 References
Hill, L. G. (2006). The Principles for Education of the Social Reconstructionists and Critical
Theorists: A Yardstick of Democracy (Publication No. 461) [Doctoral dissertation,
Georgia Southern University]. Electronic Theses and Dissertations.
What is Social Reconstructionism?. (2018, June 10). Edupedia. Retrieved November
