My Educational Philosophy :: Philosophy of Education Teaching Teachers Essays

My Educational Philosophy My true love for education began on the first day of first grade. I was selected to take the attendance sheet to the office. There was a problem. I did not know where the office was. After circling the entire elementary school four times, I opened a random door and walked in crying about my dilemma. The teacher, Mrs. Rohal, consoled me and gave me the best advice ever, â€Å"everyone makes mistakes, and it is okay because it is an important part of learning.† She then took me to where I needed to be and wished me luck. Right then and there she became my inspiration and soon after, my teacher. She, along with many other teachers, made learning fun and desirable. I have always enjoyed learning and the feeling I got when I was reinforced for doing a good job. I believe all students should feel this way, and I have a strong desire to instill these same experiences to the future generations of young elementary school students. My educational philosophy would be considered eclectic. It would be a combination of an idealist and a pragmatist. In order to be an effective teacher, I believe it is necessary to possess a teaching style that is both traditional and facilitated. Since I plan on teaching elementary school, I feel that it is imperative that it is teacher directed, and in a traditional way. On the other hand, I think that it is a comfortable environment when the students are arranged in small groups or in a circle arrangement like facilitated classrooms. I also intend on having a comfortable, encouraging classroom in which artwork and exceptional work are hung up as reinforcement for their efforts and success As an idealist, I believe that it is extremely important to be organized and know the content well in order to convey this knowledge to the students. I think that if the students know that they are valued as individuals in the classroom, they will be more willing to push themselves to learn even the difficult material, and it will build their self-esteem which is very important in the elementary school years.