Educational Philosophy
I believe the broad goal of education should be holistic; helping students to become well rounded high functioning adults. We need to help students reach their full potential, by preparing them for the challenges they will face in the future, academically and otherwise. We need to teach them the tools of critical thinking and how to dissect the world around them so that they can be well informed participating citizens.
Students need to be given the apparatus for learning, and shown how to learn. This can be a challenging task for both the teacher and the student, since all of us learn differently. But once it’s accomplished, students will learn with more ease, giving them the confidence to attempt more challenging tasks. Teach a child to learn affectively and there is a far greater chance that they will be learners for life.
Students need to be given time to really think and have the freedom to try on new ideas. They need to be allowed to come to their own conclusions. It is our job as teachers to advocate for what we feel are important or correct thoughts/beliefs, but it’s the student that must decide in the end, what to think and how to proceed.
I will consciously promote the fulfillment of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, specifically the ten points that educators should address. I think this list should be posted in the classroom to serve as a daily reminder that we need to help one another grow, and that we can always be healthier and happier than we are today. In that vein I will consistently model the behaviors and conduct I expect to see from my students.
I hope to create a sanctuary from fear and humiliation in my classroom, an environment of respect and encouragement. A place where students can let themse ...